Wolverines Issue Ban On Rubber Suits

University of Michigan wrestlers will no longer be allowed to exercise in rubber suits or spend excessive amounts of time in the sauna.

Athletic director Tom Goss issued the directive in the aftermath of Michigan wrestler Jeff Reese’s death Dec. 9.

Reese worked out in a rubber suit the day before a match because he wanted to make a 150-pound weight limit.

Goss also asked wrestling coaches to make recommendations about how much weight wrestlers can lose in a week and when they should be weighed before a match. Goss wants the recommendations by Monday.

Goss has appointed a task force to review safety measures in the wrestling program, but he asked for the weight recommendations immediately.

Wrestling practices were suspended at Michigan after Reese’s death. Goss said practices may resume after the holidays if guidelines are in place.

Reese was the third college wrestler to die under similar circumstances in two months.