Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor, BTN.com staff, September 6, 2013
Just how resourceful is social media in today's digital world? That answer became evident to Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson after he addressed the following tweet to Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands early Thursday afternoon.
@TomBrandsHAWK there seems to be something BIG missing on our schedules this year…
— Cael Sanderson (@caelsanderson) September 5, 2013
Brands quickly responded to the tweet.
@caelsanderson yeah. I agree . Lets do something about it.
— Tom Brands (@TomBrandsHAWK) September 5, 2013
Within minutes, the two coaches were indulging in a detailed twitter discussion about the idea of scheduling a dual meet between the two powerhouse programs.
In just over 24 hours after the initial tweet was sent from Sanderson's account, the announcement was made official: Iowa will square off against Penn State on Dec. 21 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
And just to get an idea of how dominant these two programs have been over the past couple of years? The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions have combined to win the last six NCAA wrestling national championships- Iowa from 2008-2010, and Penn State from 2011-2013.
The much-anticipated dual meet will be broadcasted live on BTN/BTN2GO.
Below is the remainder of the twitter interaction between Sanderson and Brands, which led the the scheduling of this meet.
@TomBrandsHAWK yes! let's figure it out. Rec Hall??
— Cael Sanderson (@caelsanderson) September 5, 2013
@TomBrandsHAWK ok fair enough. can u guarantee we get the tiny locker room with pink walls?
— Cael Sanderson (@caelsanderson) September 5, 2013
@TomBrandsHAWK u know this late this might be too much of a hassle, it was a fun to play with idea though. we'll see you guys at B1G tourney
— Cael Sanderson (@caelsanderson) September 5, 2013
@TomBrandsHAWK just kidding, we are in. let us know when and we'll be there!! #IowaVsPennState
— Cael Sanderson (@caelsanderson) September 5, 2013
@caelsanderson listen. Sometime in December. Around the 'good will toward men' holiday. Your calendar open?
— Tom Brands (@TomBrandsHAWK) September 5, 2013
@TomBrandsHAWK schedule's tight but we'll make it work. Send a date and we'll lock it in.
— Cael Sanderson (@caelsanderson) September 5, 2013
?The Iowa wrestling team will host Penn State in a dual December 21, to be televised live on BTN. http://t.co/6WlQrfRwax? thank you twitter!
— Jordan Blanton (@JBla174) September 6, 2013
