When wrestlers talk about winners, they talk about Mike Milkovich. But there's far more to his phenomenal coaching career. Also call him teacher, developer, promoter and builder of the sport.

After success as a high school and college wrestler, he entered high school coaching in 1950 at Maple Heights, Ohio, where there was no organized wrestling program. Over 27 years, his teams produced 265 dual meet victories against a mere 25 defeats. They enjoyed 16 undefeated seasons, won 10 state championships, eight runner-up trophies and 21 conference titles. Included were winning streaks of 102 and 59 dual meets.

Complementing his record on the mat was his flair for promotion of the sport. He attracted attention to his program with the use of mat maids, cheerleaders, pep clubs, booster clubs, junior high and junior varsity matches and the "radical" innovation of holding the meets at night.

Among his greatest wrestlers were two of his own sons -Tom, who won four Big Ten championships and a National Collegiate title, and Pat, a four-time national finalist and twice an NCAA champion.

Milkovich never limited his horizons to Maple Heights. An educator of coaches and wrestlers, he conducted clinics across the country. He developed and published a practice plan for both high school and college coaches. His book on how to teach wrestling sold thousands of copies. A video tape series on wrestling techniques received nationwide acclaim.

His achievements and his efforts for the development of wrestling earned widespread recognition. In 1969, he served as coach and manager of the first U. S. gold medal Junior World team. In 1976, he was chosen national high school coach of the year.

And in a rare tribute to any athletic figure, the Mike Milkovich Middle School was dedicated in Maple Heights in September of 1983.

In recognition of his fabulous coaching career, and a lifetime of leadership in the development of wrestling, Michael Milkovich is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.