One of the longtime well-known officials and coaches from Northern Minnesota is that of Andy McCarty. A member of five Hall of Fames, McCarty not only was known for officiating and coaching in wrestling but excelled as a coach in other sports too. Born in Beardsley, MN and one of 13 children. Andy grew up during the depression era. He learned how to work hard. In high school he competed in football, basketball and baseball. After graduation in l950 he entered the Air Force, enlisting for four years and serving in the Korean War. Upon returning from the war, Andy enrolled at Moorhead State College and played football. He also met his wife, Karen, and they were married in l958. The McCarty's have six children Nye, Dan, Pat, Amy, Ann and Meg. McCarty's first teaching and coaching job was at Red Lake Falls, MN. He coached football, basketball and cross country. In l962-63 Andy went back to Moorhead State to get his Masters degree. There a friend, Al Homes, got him interested in Wrestling. From there he got a job at Parkers Prairie in l963. Besides football and track he served as assistant wrestling coach. He later took over as head wrestling coach and led his team to a second place finish in the District tournament. In l970 the McCarty's moved to Park Rapids. There he assumed head coaching position in football, wrestling and track. He also began a long career in officiating. As a head coach in football for 17 years his team accumulated a record of 104-60. They won the Mid State Conference 6 times and captured 5 section titles. In their five state play off appearances they captured a State Runner-up finish in 1983. McCarty served as head coach for the Out-State Football team in the All-Star Game in l984. His track team won the conference five times and Region three times. He also coached his track team to the "True Team" Track State Championship in l987. In wrestling this team captured a District title and he was named District Coach of the year in l975. Andy's notoriety in the sport of wrestling though comes mostly as an outstanding official. For 25 years he officiated (1971-1996). He was head official of Region 6A for many years. He also did some officiating in Region 7 and 8. He officiated at the Minnesota State tournament for ten years. McCarty retired from teaching in l993. Even after that, he came out of retirement to coach football at Menahga for five seasons. He was inducted into the 2000 Minnesota Football coaches' Hall of Fame, the 2003 Moorhead Dragon Hall of Fame, the 2008 Minnesota Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame and the 2008 Park Rapids School's Hall of Fame. Northwestern Minnesota is proud of their wrestling and Andy McCarty exemplified the excellence of the coaches and officials from that area, and he did it in every sport he got involved in.