Governor Branstad Visits Rocky Marciano Memorial Site

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 | Other | No Comments

On October 20, former Iowa governor Terry Branstad (left) and recent Ambassador to China, stopped in Newton to visit Mike (right) and see the Rocky Marciano Memorial site for the first time. The memorial was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Governor Branstad History Fund. A ceremony was held on August 30, 2019, for the unveiling of the sign and rock but Ambassador Branstad was living in Beijing at the time.

Marciano was 49-0 with 43 knockouts when he retired in 1956 and he was on his way from Chicago to Des Moines for a private party when the small plane he was riding in crashed in Newton on August 31, 1969. Also killed were a Frankie Farrell, a family friend from Des Moines, and the pilot, Glenn Belz.

To mark the sad event and celebrate Rocky’s life, Mike led a charge to have an area, including an informational sign and rock with Rocky’s name and image on it, posted along Highway 14, entering the city. Governor Kim Reynolds declared August 30 as “Rocky Marciano Remembrance Day” and guest speakers were Mayor Mike Hansen, wrestling icon Dan Gable, former national Golden Gloves boxing champion Steve Eden of Cedar Rapids, and Mike, who also read a letter from Rocky’s son in Florida.

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Mike to Speak at January 7th HAWK Party

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 | Speaking, Wrestling | No Comments

Following the Iowa-Minnesota wrestling meet at Carver–Hawkeye Arena, Mike will be the guest speaker at the H.A.W.K. party at the Coralville Radisson, located at 1220 1st Ave Coralville.  There is a cover charge of $20, which includes food and drinks. H.A.W.K. was formed in 1978 and is the oldest collegiate wrestling fan support organization.  According to its officers, the club’s goal has always been to enhance the Hawkeye wrestling fan’s experience and support Hawkeye wrestlers.  In that pursuit, H.A.W.K. provides an avenue for fans, athletes, parents, and coaches to socialize and celebrate all that is Hawkeye wrestling.  The club has over 300 members across the country. Mike will have some of his 17 wrestling books for sale and give 50 percent of the proceeds to the club.

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Upcoming Events – Fall 2021

Tuesday, September 28th, 2021 | Book Signing, Books, Speaking, WIN Magazine, Wrestling | No Comments

October 16 – Mike and Bryan Van Kley, publisher of WIN magazine, will present the Dan Hodge Trophy to Hawkeye wrestling star Spencer Lee during halftime of the Iowa-Purdue football game October 16 at Kinnick Stadium. Mike created the Dan Hodge Trophy in 1995 as a way to honor the nation’s top college wrestler each season, similar to the Heisman Trophy in football.  In fact, the Hodge Trophy is often called “the Heisman Trophy of wresting” by media outlets. The trophy is sponsored by WIN magazine and Culture House, a company owned by Mike and Bev, and is presented by Asics.  To date, over one million sports fans have seen the Dan Hodge Trophy presented at football stadiums around the country. Spencer Lee also won the trophy in 2020 and will be going for his 4th NCAA title this season. 

November 11 – On Veterans Day, Mike will be the featured speaker at the  “One Nation Under God” banquet hosted by the Cedar Falls Exchange Club, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7213 Nordic Drive, Cedar Falls, with social hour starting at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30. His talk will center on the lives of Hawkeye stars Fred Becker and Nile Kinnick. Becker was Iowa’s first All-American football player (in 1916) and lost his life fighting during World War I on July 18, 1918. Kinnick, Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner, lost his life on a training flight on June 2, 1943, during World War II. Both Fred and Nile were just 22 years of age, and Mike has written about them in his book “Triumph and Tragedy”. Mike has been asked to bring many of his books for sale, as the event is just a few weeks before Christmas. Tickets are $30 and the pubic is invited but reservations must be made by Oct. 31st. Any questions, please call Dennis Kehoe at 319-464-6336 or email kehoe3@yahoo.com. 

November 12 – The Becker-Chapman American Legion Post 138 at 728 Commercial Street is hosting a dinner and an event to honor Fred Becker and Carl Chapman, the two military heroes for whom the Post is named. Mike has written a booklet telling the story of both Fred, a gradate of East High, and Carl, a graduate of West High. Fred Becker was the first All-American football player in the history of the University of Iowa, and then enlisted in the Marines to serve his country in World d War I. He was killed in heroic action along the Western Front on July 18, 1918, and was awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross, the French Coeur de Guerre, and the Belgian War Cross.  Carl, a pilot, was killed  on May 3, 1918.  Mike has donated his time and effort in writing the booklet, and will be signing copies of the booklet during the dinner. The booklet tells the stories of these two warriors and will serve as a donation for the Post. The cost is $10 per booklet.

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Podcast Appearance: The History of Wrestling with Mike Chapman on Landry.Audio

Monday, May 10th, 2021 | Radio, Wrestling | No Comments

Mike appeared on the podcast Landry.Audio to talk about the history of wrestling. Take a listen with the embedded video above or following the link here: The History Of Wrestling With Historian Mike Chapman – YouTube

Great Gift Ideas!

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 | Uncategorized | No Comments

If you are in the market for a special gift for a family member or friend, please check out the book section on this web site. There are some great options… especially for fans of wrestling and/or history.

Our American Stories: Abe Lincoln, the Wrestler

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 | Books, Radio, Wrestling | No Comments

At just 22 years of age, Abraham Lincoln wrestled Jack Armstrong, older and considered the toughest man in the area. Many biographers of Lincoln have felt it was a turning point in the life of the man destined to become one of the greatest figures in history.

Shown here is an artwork of the match, by Jack Bender, a nationally-known illustrator and longtime friend of Mike’s.

On the nationally-syndicated radio talk show “Our American Stories” (which has an estimated 2.5 million listeners each day), Mike spent 20 minutes discussing the match in 1831 between Lincoln and Armstrong, in the tiny frontier village of New Salem, Illinois.

Listen to the interview here: http://www.ouramericannetwork.org/story?title=The-Turning-Point-in-Abe-s-Life-A-Wrestling-Match

For more about this historic event, you can purchase the booklet “The Sport of Lincoln” which was written by Mike in 2003. It contains lots of artwork about the match. The booklet is $5 plus $4 for S&H.

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Speech at Waterloo Library on December 4

Monday, November 18th, 2019 | Book Signing, Books, Speaking | No Comments

Mike is scheduled for two talks in Waterloo on December 4, to discuss the new book that he and Don Huff have written called “Stars in Waterloo”. The first talk is at 12:00 pm and is to a private club, not open to the public. The second talk is at the Waterloo Public Library and is open to the public at no charge. It will be in meeting room AB from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Mike and Don will talk about the book, answer questions and have books for purchase.

New Book Offers Fascinating Look at Waterloo’s Past

Saturday, October 12th, 2019 | Books | 2 Comments

Mike’s new book “Stars in Waterloo”

“Stars in Waterloo” is the name of Mike’s latest book, which was co-written with Don Huff. Over the past 120 years or so, many famous persons in all walks of life— politics, sports, movies, music and more — have visited the Waterloo area.  A total of 13 presidents have have been to the city, beginning with William McKinley in 1899, as well as Billy Sunday, the most famous evangelist of the early 20th century, and Dr. Martin Luther King. Amelia Earhart gave a speech there just one year prior to beginning her fatal flight around the world in 1937, and Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in World War II who became a major movie star, was there in 1953.

“Don and I wanted to offer a look at this fascinating history of our hometown,” said Mike. “We worked on the book for nearly three years and we hope it will be a wonderful addition to the collective history of the community. We are very proud that Farmers State Bank wanted to sponsor the book.”

Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, true icons of the Old West, came to Waterloo in 1901 and many famous western movie stars followed. Tom Mix, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers each found their way to the area at one time or another. Actress Julie Adams was born there and actor Nick Nolte lived in Waterloo for several years before arriving in Hollywood.

The book also offers stories of iconic Waterloo military figures Fred Becker, Carl Chapman, the Sullivan brothers, Admiral James Ramage and General Curly Hultman.

Top entertainers like Buddy Holly, Charley Pride and Bob Hope came to the city at various times, as did many famous baseball players on their way to the major leagues.

The book talks about Waterloo’s professional basketball, football and hockey teams, and the many successful athletes that came from here – including Olympians Dan Gable, Chuck Yagla, Bob Buzzard, wrestlers, and diver Zoe Ann Olsen. Also profiled are NFL stars Don Perkins and Reggie Roby and Rich Folkers, who spent eight years in the major leagues.

“We think readers will be amazed at the number of famous people that have come to Waterloo through the decades,” said Huff. “Not only is the book entertaining, but we believe it will be viewed as a great educational tool, as well.”

Retired from a 35-year newspaper career, Mike Chapman is a native of Waterloo who is the author of 30 books and gives speeches about Iowa history around the state. He is considered by many the nation’s leading authority on wrestling history. He and his wife, Bev, created the Dan Gable Museum and brought it to Waterloo in 2008.

Don Huff was born and raised in Waterloo and is a retired educator who was head wrestling coach at West High for many years. He and Chapman teamed up to write the biography of Bob Siddens, West High’s legendry wrestling coach, in 2012.

The cost of the book is $15 with $5 S&H, and is available by calling 641-791-3072.

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Wrestling Tough, 2nd Edition – Now Available!

The 2nd edition to the popular Wrestling Tough, this new book is loaded with stories of many current stars and many behind-the-scene stories of legendary figures from the sport of Wrestling. As Dan Gable wrote, “Wrestling Tough is much more than learning about being successful on the mat. It’s for all who would like to dominate or develop a passion for any sport. Incredible reading! Get energized and be entertained at the same time!”

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Journey: Reflections on 50 Years of Writing, Wrestling, Weightlifting, and Heroes – Order Today!

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