The word "Champion" comes to mind in describing Earl Stottler. This Minnesota High School State Wrestling Champion and college NAIA National Wrestling Champion went on to coach for 18 years and officiate another 12 years for 30 years of participation in the sport of wrestling. Earl was a "one class" State Wrestling Champion , 112 pounds, at Princeton High School in 1958, and a runner-up at Benson High School his junior year. Overall, Earl was a four-time Conference, District, Region champion, and four-time State qualifier. From high school, Earl went on to wrestle for the University of Minnesota before transferring to Moorhead State College, where he wrestled for Bill Garland. In 1961 Earl won the NAIA National Championship at 123 pounds, becoming the Dragons' first National champion. Earl set the tone for the rest of Moorhead State teams and individuals who went on to form a national powerhouse in wrestling in the early and mid-sixties. A broken ankle cost him a second title. Following his collegiate wrestling days, Earl graduated from NDSU in 1969. While there, he was a graduate asst. for Bison head coach, Bucky Maughan. He began his successful teaching, counseling and coaching career at Milbank, SD. After a year Earl and his family moved to Starbuck where he was head wrestling, head baseball and asst. football coach. His wrestlers were always well-conditioned and fundamentally sound, and he inspired them to become gentlemen on and off the mat. Earl was respected and well liked by fellow coaches, wrestlers, students, teachers, and parents. Earl has the unique distinction of having wrestled, coached, and officiated in District 21 and Region 6. His Starbuck team won the District 21 title in 1972 and the first version of the Minnewaska team earned a Conference and District 22 championship in 1986 and was Region 6A runner-up behind a tough Staples squad. Earl received "Coach of the Year" honors, as well. His teams produced 67 Conference champions, 58 District champions, 10 Region champs and 11 State qualifiers. Earl was instrumental in developing successful youth wrestling programs at both schools. He was inducted into the Dave Bartelma MWCA Hall of Fame in 1991, and became a member of the Moorhead State Dragons Hall of Fame in 1997. Earl served as District 21, District 22, and Region 6A representative for several years, and is currently a member of the Dave Bartelma MWCA Hall of Fame committee. One of Earl's greatest coaching challenges and accomplishments was pairing the 1985-86 Starbuck and Glenwood rival wrestling teams into one cohesive unit, and developing a parents/fans following. The formation of the Waska Warriors helped to lay the foundation for a successful team that would later become the Minnewaska Lakers. Unfortunately, a serious heart attack forced Earl's retirement from coaching in 1986, with his best teams on the horizon. After stepping down from the rigors of coaching, Earl continued to be involved as a color commentator for local radio stations broadcasting wrestling events. He ran the clock, kept the scorebook, and was a PA announcer for several years. He had a passion for the sport of wrestling and was always willing to help wrestlers who were seeking advice. Earl was very community minded and served on the city council, participated in Jaycees, Lions, and was President and trustee of his church. Earl retired from teaching in 1996. He continued to battle adversity and showed much courage and determination after a massive stroke, in December 2011, paralyzed his right side and left him with many health issues. Earl's wife, Kathi, says "Earl's greatest asset has been his ability to work with people, listen to them and provide a sense of humor when things are tough." He continues to meet life's challenges in the same way. His strong work ethic and his ability to "fight the odds" shows the same mindset he had as a coach, taking one step at a time. Earl and Kathi have two sons - Wade and his wife, Julie, and Shaun and his wife, Tammy, and four grandsons, Nathan, Michael, Zachary and Ryan. Earl had the privilege of coaching his sons and watching his grandchildren wrestle. The Stottler family has been involved in and supported the sport of wrestling for many years. The Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to accept Earl Stottler into this honored hall. A strong man, who was a "Champion" in high school and college, continues his championship qualities in all his life's pursuits. A special celebration for Earl took place on October 10th, in Benson, MN. Holding the event within 25 miles of the Stottler home in Starbuck made it possible for Earl to attend. He was honored to receive the Medal of Courage award with so many family members, friends, wrestlers and coaching colleagues present, including seven members of the NWHOF, MN Chapter.