One of the most memorable names in the history of Minnesota wrestling is that of Howard Leopold. By the time he graduated from Redwood Falls, Minnesota, High School in l964, Leopold was a three-time state wrestling champion and the holder of a 120-10-2 career record. In his freshman year at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, Howard won the l965 MIAC Championship at 137 pounds. As a sophomore, he again won the championship at 145 pounds and was named the "Most Outstanding Wrestler". Advancing to the NAIA National Tournament that year, Howard placed second at 145 pounds, earning All-American honors. In l998 he was inducted into the Concordia College "Athletic Hall of Fame" in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a Concordia athlete and a lifetime of service as an educator and coach. In l991 he was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Hall of Fame. In l998 he was selected to the 15 member "All-Time Minnesota High School Dream Team" from the past 60 years. Howard had a 44-1-2 career record at Concordia College when a back injury in his junior season prematurely ended his wrestling career. But that injury also marked the beginning of an outstanding coaching career. He served as an assistant coach for Coach Finn Grinaker the following two seasons. After graduating from Concordia College in l969, Howard began a teaching career in Mound, Minnesota and continued his love of coaching. He also went on to earn a master of arts degree from the University of St. Thomas. Howard retired in 2003 after 34 years of teaching and coaching in Mound, Minnesota. During his 24 years as head wresting coach at Mound-Westonka High School (1969-1993), he coached 32 state entrants and 15 state place winners. Howard became one of the most highly respected wrestling coaches in Minnesota. In 1988 he was named the Region 6AA wrestling "Coach of the Year" and his team was the 6AA (large school) entrant in the State Tournament. Along with the team were 5 individual entrants, including his oldest son, Cory, who was a senior and 4-time state entrant and two-time place-winner. Coaching his son was a highlight of Howard's career. Cory went on to wrestle at University of Minnesota-Duluth, for Neil Ladsten and earned All-American honors in the NAIA National Tournament. Howard's family includes wife, Carolyn and son, Jason, wife Bradie and 3 daughters, Beau, Mikhail and Nevin. Son, Cory died in an automobile accident in l993 at the age of 23. Howard's hobbies include hunting, fishing, and four-wheeling in the mountains.