Mike Frood had wrestling in his blood and was destined to be a wrestler and coach. His father, Sheppard, encouraged Mike to wrestle as a young boy. His father had wrestled on the first team at East Hampton High School in the 1930's which was coached then by the legendary coach. Frank "Sprig" Gardner. Sprig would later become the celebrated coach of Mepham High School and a Distinguish Member of the NWHGF.

Following a stellar high school career at East Hampton High School on Long Island, Mike would attend Cortland State and wrestle for Vince Gonino. During his student teaching Mike would teach and coach at Mynderse Academy in Section V and begin to develop his talents as a high school coach. In 1977, he became the high school wrestling coach for Jordan-Elbridge and would guide the Eagles to a 144-22 record in Section III. Coach Frood's achievements at Jordan-Elbridge are many and included 10 league tournament championships and six Section III Class C Championships. Additionally, the Eagles were runner-ups two time under the mentorship of Frood and he would coach 12 Section III champions who went on to represent JE in the NYSPHSAA Championships. Furthermore, Coach Frood would guide fifty-eight wrestlers to individual League Championships and forty-one Section III Class C individual championships. Perhaps the highlight of his coaching career was in 19B6 when his Jordan-Elbridge team would be ranked number 8th in the state and finish second in the sectional tournament. This team tied a Section III record by having four sectional champions and three of those wrestlers would finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the state tournament at the Onondaga Memorial Arena. Coach Frood is quick to point out that he had surrounded himself with three very good coaches who helped pilot the Eagles to success. He referred to them as the 3 "W"s. The first "W" was Ken Wilson, a Jordan Elbridge graduate and a standout All-American wrestler at Syracuse University, who served as his assistant coach; the second "W" was Allen Webster, who coached the junior high team and the third "W" was Lonnie Warner, who helped to individualized the instruction. In addition, Mike would also coach two other sports besides wrestling at Jordan-Elbridge football and lacrosse.

Coach Frood stated that, "the sport of wrestling teaches hard work and how to deal with adversity in one's life. And never giving up notwithstanding of the situation."

Not only was Frood an outstanding coach but he also was an exceptional wrestling official. Mike would work as an official for 28 years for the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association. He would officiate eleven Section III Finals tournaments and twelve Sectional Class events. During his illustrious career officiating Frood would be selected to officiate in three NYSPHSAA tourneys as well as act as the Vice President of the Syracuse group. Upstate New York Chapter's Hall of Famer, Fred Brown, stated this about Coach Frood, "Mike was an exceptional coach and steered his small school, Jordan-Elbridge, to many league titles. He certainly was not afraid to grapple with any school regardless of their size. His teams wrestled tough and fought to the very last whistle irrespective of the score. After he finished his career as a coach he became an excellent official and held every office in the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association except the treasurer/secretary position. Furthermore, Mike has given back much to his school and community. This is demonstrated by the fact that Mike still works as a coach for both wrestling and lacrosse. Section III should be honored to have such dedicated people in the section."

Mike and his wife, Joan, live in Elbridge and are the proud parents of two sons, Brett and Jared.

The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is extremely proud and privileged to induct Mike into its Hall of Fame. Mike's picture and bio will be enshrined in the Chapter Room of the National Wrestling Museum in

Stillwater, Oklahoma.