Speech in Waterloo for Veterans, August 10

Monday, June 17th, 2019 | Speaking | No Comments

Mike will be the featured speaker at a special event being held in Waterloo to recognize the 100^th year anniversary of the American Legion all across our great country. The event will be held at the Electric Park on August 10, beginning at 5 p.m. Mike will talk about Fred Becker and Carl Chapman, two Waterloo legends who lost their lives fighting in World War I.

In 1916, Becker, an East High graduate, became the first All-American football player in the history of the University of Iowa and two years later, on July 18, 1918, he was killed in heroic action in France. Chapman was a standout athlete at West High before attending Amherst College in Massachusetts. He was the first Iowa aviator to die in the war, being shot down in heavy action on May 3, 1918.

Mike has written extensively about Becker’s heroics and has been on numerous radio talk shows to tell about his career. He was also the catalyst behind the naming of Fred H. Becker Elementary School in 2013. Mike has a new book coming out soon called “Stars in Waterloo” that talks about Becker and Chapman, as well as many other famous citizens of Waterloo.

The event is sponsored by Becker-Chapman A.L. Post 138, with all proceeds going to the post. The cost is $25.00 and includes a catered meal by Randall’s of Hudson and live music. For more information, call the Becker-Chapman AL Post at 319-234-8511.

Tags: Fred Becker, Waterloo

Iowa Hall of Pride – Iowa High School Wrestling Tournament Kick-Off

Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 | Wrestling | No Comments

From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.on Thursday, Feb. 14,  the Iowa Hall of Pride will be hosting Chris Cakes of Iowa to kick off the Iowa High School State Wrestling tournament. Wrestling historian/author Mike Chapman, Wartburg wrestling Coach Jim Miller, and IAwrestle will all be present to talk with fans and parents. 

The event is sponsored by Perficut, E.P. True Chiropractic, and IAwrestle.  Admission will be $5.00 per person, which will get fans all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, orange drink/coffee, and all-day admission into the Iowa Hall of Pride! 

The Iowa Hall of Pride is located on the Southeast corner of the Iowa Event Center on the lower level, right next to where wrestlers will be weighing in. Join us to “pin a pancake” and kickoff the 2019 Iowa State Wrestling Championships at the Iowa Hall of Pride! Event: “State Cakes” at the Iowa Hall of Pride

Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019

Time: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Location: Iowa Hall of Pride
330 Park Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Tags: Chris Cakes, Iowa Hall of Pride, Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament

Midlands Hall of Fame Inductions

Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 | Awards, Wrestling | No Comments

On Dec. 30, Mike was inducted into the Midlands Wrestling Hall of Fame at the championships held at Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Standing with Mike and presenting the award are Dan Gable, Tim Cysewski (former Northwestern coach and the Midlands director the past 14 years) and Mike Allen (the nation’s top-ranked wrestling official). Gable and both Mikes are from Waterloo. After the meet, Mike also presented the Tournament of Champions Award to Northwestern’s Sebastian Rivera.

Wrestling Tough, 2nd Edition – Now Available!

Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 | Books | No Comments

Mike’s latest book, No. 30, is now available both at bookstores across America and through THE LINK on this web site. The book was published by Human Kinetics of Champaign, Illinois, one of the largest publishers of sports books, and is an updated version of Mike’s popular 2005 book “Wrestling Tough”. This new book is loaded with stories of many current stars like Kyle Snyder, Jordan Burroughs,  Zain Retherford, and Helen Maroulis – and has many behind-the-scene stories of such legendary figures as Dan Gable, Cael Sanderson, Lee Kemp, John Smith, Dan Hodge, Wayne Baughman, Mark Johnson, Randy Couture, Lou and Ed Banach, Greg Strobel and many more. The foreword was written by Steve Fraser, 1984 Olympic champion and coach of the 2007 World Team champions in Greco-Roman wrestling.

As Dan Gabe 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!”

Just $24 plus $6 S&H —  If you order through this website, Mike will be happy to personally sign any book if requested.