A. Pat Mrotek did not wrestle at Loyal High School in Loyal, Wisconsin.

He was, however, a Golden Gloves boxer and was aware of the dedication needed for conditioning and weight control.

As a freshman at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, Pat joined the wrestling team and proved to be a fierce competitor. Those who competed with and against him will long remember his hard work and extreme dedication.

He lettered four years in wrestling and won conference championships in 1962 and 1963 after finishing third in 1960. During his sophomore year, Pat suffered a knee injury that kept him from competing. He earned NAIA All-American honors in 1962 and 1963, when he placed second at the NAIA National Tournament.

Pat's hard work and dedication carried over into his teaching and coaching.

He received his bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1963 and accepted his first teaching position with Montello Public Schools in Montello, Wisconsin. He accepted the wrestling coach position and started the wrestling program.

In 1969, Pat earned his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin - Superior.

In 1964, Pat moved to Cadott, Wisconsin and accepted a teaching and coaching position with the Cadott Public Schools. He was head wrestling coach until 1974 and led his teams to an incredible 95-15-0 record with three regional championships and a sectional championship. His wrestlers won 17 conference championships, 24 regional championships and four sectional championships. He coached nine wrestlers to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Championships. Pat was instrumental in organizing the Cadott Wrestling Club and developing a youth wrestling program.

He continued to project his enthusiasm, demonstrating it as a competitor, coach, official, tournament manager, wrestling club organizer and general supporter of wrestling.

Dave Zien, a former wrestler, said that "After entering the United States Marine Corps, I was point man in the demilitarized zone in Vietnam. The intensity and sacrifice is beyond description. But in many ways it was like wrestling practice multiplied one hundredfold. My experience in high school under coach Mrotek prepared me well for the horror when our unit was overrun by North Vietnamese army sappers on Witches Teat near Khe Sahn on October 13, 1969."

Pat officiated his first wrestling match in 1962 and has continued officiating to the present. He officiated the 1987 and 1988 WIAA State Championships.

Since the WIAA installed the rating system, Pat earned the Master Classification in the shortest time possible and he has consistently placed in the top five percent of all registered officials.

He knows the wrestling rules well and interprets and applies them as an official should. He demonstrates a sincere concern for the safety of the wrestlers.