During Mark Churella's four years at the University of Michigan, the school saw one of its most notable athletes reach incredible achievements.

He showed great promise of the things to come his freshman year when he placed third in the NCAA wrestling tournament, and began his reign as a three-time Big Ten Champion. He highlighted his collegiate career by becoming the university's first three-time NCAA champion.

He set a goal in high school to pin everybody he wrestled. He only fell short by one. He continued this goal into college, where he is Michigan's leader in recording dual meet pins for the season with eight in two different seasons. Twice he had five consecutive falls.

Churella is a member of the University of Michigan's "Hall of Honor," and is a charter member of the state of Michigan's Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In 1977, he was also the U.S.W.F. Grand National champion, and in the same year he captured the Junior World crown.

While serving as head coach at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, Churella inaugurated the Las Vegas Collegiate Invitational Tournament, which is still one of wrestling's most prestigious preseason competitions.

He continued to contribute to wrestling when he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach from 1984-86. He now contributes to his local high school wrestling program with three sons involved in wrestling.

By becoming one of the greatest wrestlers to compete for the University of Michigan and promoting wrestling on the local, state, and national level, Mark Churella is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.