One of the well known names in college wrestling in Minnesota is that of Mike Sterner. Mike served as head wrestling coach at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota for 29 years. His amazing career as a coach, professor and athlete are legendary. Mike, along with his twin brother, John, were outstanding athletes. They attended Boys Town in Nebraska, graduating in l957. Mike was named scholar athlete and was named to the "Tiger club" in football and was state runner-up at 165 lbs in the Nebraska State High School Wrestling Tournament. Mike served in the Army while at Boystown was honorably discharged in 1965. Mike attended college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. There he played two sports. He was named "Most Valuable Lineman" in the North Central Conference in football and named to the Williamson All-American team as a guard in l961. He also served as Co-Captain of the North Central Conference football team at SDSU. As a wrestler, he was named "Most Valuable" in both his Junior and Senior years. He also served as Co-Captain of the team. He was a three-time Division I national qualifier and NCC Champion. . Sterner graduated in l963 and secured his first teaching and coaching position at Flandreau Indian High School in Flandreau, South Dakota. He taught Math and served as head Coach in football and wrestling from l963 to l965. He had six qualifiers to the state tourney. He headed back to South Dakota State University in l965 to complete a Master's Degree. Mike served as a graduate assistant. He did some teaching and served as a Freshman Wrestling Coach, assistant Football coach and assistant athletic trainer. He moved to Hettinger High School in North Dakota in l966. For three years he taught physical education and biology. He was the head coach in football and wrestling. The football team won the Badlands Conference and wrestling won the regions. He coached two state champions, Rick Wolf at 98 lbs and Gary Schmaltz at 145 lbs and numerous placers. In l969 Sterner made the move to the college ranks accepting the head coaching position in wrestling, and history was made while serving 29 years. His teams won six Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference titles. He was named NSIC "Coach of the Year" seven times. In 2000 he was inducted into the NSIC Hall of Fame. In l993 he was awarded the 25 year Service Award from the National Wrestling Coaches Association. He was also awarded the l993 Ralph Ginn Award for coaching Excellence from South Dakota State University. He also coached the USA - NAIA National Team to Russia in the Soviet Union in l987. In l998 he was inducted into the SW Minnesota State University Hall of Fame. He coached 45 All-Americans and two National Champions at SW Minnesota State. One of those Champions was his son, John. John later succeeded his father at head coach at SW Minnesota State. Besides a coach, Mike is a scholar and professor. He received his Education Doctorate from Brigham Young University in l984. He was Co-Valedictorian of his Doctoral Graduate class. His doctoral dissertation was "Nutritional Knowledge of Wrestlers and Wrestling Coach's in the State of Minnesota." He served as Doctoral Adjunt Teacher at Brigham Young in Provo, Utah, while on sabbatical from SW Minnesota State. Mike was inducted into the NAIA National Wrestling Hall of Fame in l991 and named an Honoree Alumnus for Life by Southwest Minnesota State University Alumni Association. He is also recipient of SW Minnesota State "Merit Award" for Outstanding Accomplishments in Teaching. Mike's family includes wife, Karen, his son, John and Tracy, grandson, Elijah and granddaughter, Julia; his daughter Michele and Oak and granddaughter, Kaziah. The Sterners live in Marshall, Minnesota.