Tom Minkel’s journey in wrestling began in high school, where he became a Michigan State Wrestling Champion at Williamston High School. ​ His talent and determination carried him to Central Michigan University, where he achieved the remarkable distinction of being a three-time NCAA All-American—Central Michigan’s first in any sport. ​ He was a Division II All-American twice and a Division I All-American once, remaining undefeated in dual meets throughout his college career. ​ His achievements earned him the NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award for both scholarship and athletic excellence, and he was later inducted into the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. ​

Tom’s contributions to wrestling extended far beyond his own competitive career. ​ He represented the United States on the 1980 Olympic Wrestling Team, a moment of pride despite the unfortunate boycott that year. ​ He was also a three-time U.S. National Greco-Roman Champion and competed internationally, representing the U.S. in countries such as Cuba, Italy, France, and Bulgaria. ​

After his competitive career, Tom transitioned into coaching, where his impact was equally profound. ​ He served as the head wrestling coach at Central Michigan University and later at Michigan State University, where he led the program for 25 years. ​ His leadership extended to the international stage, coaching U.S. teams at the Olympics, World Championships, Pan American Games, and World Cups. ​ His coaching career is a testament to his ability to inspire and develop athletes at the highest levels of competition. ​

Beyond coaching, Tom has been a tireless advocate for the sport. He served as Vice President of USA Wrestling, chaired multiple committees, and contributed as a columnist for USA Wrestling Magazine. ​ He has also been a member of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee and the Michigan Wrestling Hall of Fame Executive Committee, demonstrating his commitment to the growth and governance of wrestling.

Tom’s legacy is not just in his accolades but in the lives he has touched and the athletes he has mentored. ​ His dedication to wrestling, his integrity, and his passion for the sport of wrestling make him a true icon and a deserving inductee into the Michigan Wrestling Association Hall of Fame. ​

• 1991-2016 Head Wrestling Coach - Michigan State University

  1988-91 Head Wrestling Coach - Central Michigan University

  1980-88 Assistant Wrestling Coach - Central Michigan University

  1977-80 Trained full time for the 1980 Olympic Games

  1972-77 Professional Musician

  1992 Head Coach - U.S. Olympic Team (GR), 1992 Olympic Games, Spain

  1991 Head Coach - U.S. World Team (GR), Bulgaria

  1991 Head Coach - U.S. Pan American Team (GR), Cuba

  1990 Assistant Coach - U.S. World Team (GR), Italy

  1989 Head Coach - U.S. World Team (GR), Switzerland

  1989 Head Coach - U. S. National Team (GR), Cuba

  1989 Assistant Coach - U.S. National Team (GR), Irkutsk, U.S.S.R.

• 1988 Assistant Coach - U.S. Olympic Team (GR), Seoul, S. Korea

  1987 Assistant Coach - U.S. Pan American Team (GR), Indianapolis

  1987 Assistant Coach - U.S. World Team (GR), France

• 1986 Head Coach - U.S. World Cup Team (GR), Chicago

• 2011-2015 member - NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Committee

• 2005-2015 member - Michigan Wrestling Hall of Fame Executive Committee

• 2002-2015 member - Michigan State University Drug and Alcohol Committee

• 1986-1990 Vice-President - USA Wrestling and Chairman - Greco-Roman Sports Committee

• 1984-86 Second Vice-President - USA Wrestling and Chairman - Athlete's Advisory Committee

• 1983-1987 Columnist for USA Wrestling Magazine - bi-monthly column

• Athlete's Representative to the U.S. Olympic Committee

• 1978-1984 Board of Directors - Michigan Wrestling Club

• Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team

• 3-time U.S. National Greco-Roman Champion

• Member of the U.S. Team to Spartakade, Moscow, U.S.S.R.

• Member of 1978 U.S. World Team, Mexico City, Mexico

• Member of U.S. National Teams to:

  • 1978 - Egypt

  • 1979 - Cuba, USSR

  • 1980 - Italy

  • 1981 - Hungary, France

  • 1982 - W. Germany

  • 1983 - France, Norway

  • 1984 - Bulgaria, France

• Three-time NCAA All-American:

  Division I - 1970 (Central Michigan's first in any sport)

  Division II - 1970, 1971

• Undefeated College Career in Dual Meets

• MAC Conference Champion 1969, 1970

• MAC Conference Outstanding Wrestler Award, 1970

• Recipient of the NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award for

  Scholarship and Athletic excellence

• State Wrestling Champion, Michigan, 1967