Tom Minkel To Have Singlet Retired at Alma Mater
12/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 20, 2007
Photo Gallery of Coach Minkel's Ceremony
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State's head wrestling coach Tom Minkel, along with former Chippewa wrestler John Matthews, was honored on Sunday, Jan. 20 with the retirement of their singlets at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
"I am most appreciative of this honor and recognition by Central Michigan University," expressed Minkel."My most formative years as a student, as a collegiate and Olympic athlete, and as a wrestling coach were at CMU. I accept this honor really on behalf of all of those at Central who provided me the friendship, guidance, and opportunity to have such a marvelous career in the sport of wrestling."
The pair became the first wrestlers in school history to have their singlets ceremoniously raised to the rafters of Rose Arena. The banners were raised in front of 4,273 fans who packed Rose Arena for the No. 9 CMU-No. 4 Michigan dual, which followed the ceremony.
CMU wrestling has won nine straight Mid-American Conference titles, but Chippewa wrestling has a tradition that dates back to the mid-1950s. In the early 1970s, Matthews and Minkel had standout careers in the Maroon and Gold and their wrestling career continued after college.
Minkel was a three-time All-American, earning both Division I and Division II honors in 1970 and Division II honors in 1971 (Division II athletes were eligible to wrestle in the Division I tournament at the time). Minkel was also a two-time team MVP, earning the honor in 1970 and '71. Additionally, he won a pair of Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1969 and '70.
Matthews was a two-time team MVP in 1973 and '74, capturing a MAC title in 1974. He was 79-28-6 in his career at CMU.
Both wrestlers then went on to earn sports on the USA Greco Roman Olympic team. Matthews represent the USA in 1976 and 1980, and Minkel wrestled for the Red, White and Blue in 1980. Unfortunately, the Americans boycotted the 1980 games in Moscow, Russia. Matthews was also an alternate for the 1984 team.
Both wrestlers were inducted into the Central Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame with Matthews going in with the inaugural class of 1984 and Minkel the following year in 1985.
Minkel is in his 17th season as head coach at Michigan State after leading CMU for two seasons, while Matthews currently resides in Arizona, where he is active in coaching in USA Wrestling's developmental program.
For more information on the recognition event, contact Chippewa Club Director Craig Willey at 989-774-6192.