HARRISONBURG, Va., Nov. 6, 2009 – Former James Madison wrestler Mike Coyle (1995-2000) was among 25 student-athletes honored as the Colonial Athletic Association released its Silver Anniversary squad this week, honoring the top competitors in the league’s 25-year history.

As part of its 25^th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports.  The teams are selected by a panel of current and former coaches in the conference.

Coyle (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) was the CAA Wrestling Athlete of the Year in 2000 and a two-time CAA champion, winning the 133-pound weight class in 2000 and winning at 141 pounds in 1999.  He was named an All-American for the 1999-2000 season.  Coyle was also honored as JMU’s Most Outstanding Wrestler for his junior and senior campaigns.  In those two years, he was 49-15 combined with a 15-3 record in dual meets, eight major decisions, four technical falls, 22 falls, and a 4-5 career mark in the NCAA Championships.  He ranks 18^th in JMU history with 76 total victories and 13^th for season victories with 27 recorded in the 1996-97 season.

Wrestling began as a conference sport in the CAA with seven teams in 1991-92. Membership varied with nine different schools competing in the league during the first decade. In 2001-02 the CAA merged with the East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA), increasing membership to 12 schools. Currently, eight teams compete for the CAA championship.

Hofstra has captured all eight CAA wrestling championships since joining the conference in 2001-02. George Mason has won five CAA titles (1992, 1995-97, 2001) and James Madison (1999, 2000) and Virginia Tech (1993, 1998) have claimed a pair of championships. Old Dominion won the CAA championship in 1994. Individually, the Monarchs have had two wrestlers finish as national runner-up at the NCAA Wrestling Championship – Jody Staylor (126 lbs) in 1994 and Ryan Williams (141 lbs) in 2009.

More complete bios on the full list of 25 honorees are available at CAASports.com.