Many of Rod Rapp's outstanding achievements can be traced to wrestling.

An early leader and advocate for promoting wrestling in the state of Michigan, Rapp began his career as a wrestling coach at Mt. Pleasant High School in 1964. Over the span of 25 years at Mt. Pleasant, Rapp built a wrestling empire and an impressive list of accolades.

Under his leadership, Mt. Pleasant won 22 out of 25 White Pine Conference titles, numerous district and regional titles and six team state championships. Rapp coached 18 individual state champions and 49 medal winners. With a 301-86-1 record, Rapp was voted Coach of the Year two times.

After retiring from his high school coaching career, Rapp served four years as assistant wrestling coach at Central Michigan University.

Athletes under Rapp's direction held unique and special honors. Mike Mills was the first wrestler to win the state championship four times while Pat Boyd was a three-time state champion who held the national record for most consecutive wins.

Four of Rapp's wrestlers were voted to the High School All-American Team and two were voted to the High School Dream Team.

Rod Rapp's career was inspired by his start as a high school wrestler at Lansing Eastern High School. As an athlete, Rapp placed in the state finals three times and was named Outstanding Wrestler both his junior and senior year.