One of the most notable family names when it comes to wrestling in Minnesota is "Morgan." Parents Jim and Olive Morgan raised 12 kids and their children accomplished many great feats in the "Athletic World," particularly in the sport of wrestling. Jim and Olive were awarded the first "Legacy Award" for Outstanding Accomplishment at the 2011 Alan and Gloria Rice Greco Roman -National Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet at Augsburg College. They had three sons making a mark on the national and international Greco Roman Wrestling scene. One of those children is their son Marty Morgan, who became a most accomplished nationally recognized wrestler and coach for the University of Minnesota Gophers wrestling team. Marty became the first NCAA I National Champion in 1991 at 177 pounds for Gopher teams coached by J Robinson. Also, in 1991, Marty not only completed beyond his B.S. Degree, he also earned an M.Ed. Degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. He followed his competitive career and post-graduate work as the top Assistant Coach for Gopher teams that captured three NCAA National Championships in 2001, 2002 and 2007. Marty was awarded "National Assistant Coach of the Year" honors. The Gophers also captured six Big Ten Conference championships during that time span. Marty started his wrestling career in his hometown of Bloomington, Minnesota and was a State Runner-Up in 1986 for legendary Hall of Fame Kennedy High School Coach Dave Arens. Along with his brothers John and Gordy, all became accomplished wrestlers. John and Gordy were State Champions at Kennedy High School and among all three brothers won a combined 10 national Greco-Roman titles and competed in two Olympics and nine World championships. John placed 7th in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea and Gordy participated in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. The Morgan brothers also excelled in folkstyle, combined the Morgan brothers achieved nine collegiate All-American honors. John won an NCAA II title for North Dakota State University; and was a 4-time All-American for the Bison; Gordy was an All-American for the University of Minnesota; Marty won a title at NDSU in 1987 before transferring to Minnesota for his sophomore year. As a Gopher he captured the NCAA I championship and three All-American honors, placing sixth in 1989 and second in 1990. In total, two national titles and 4 All-American honors at the collegiate level. In total, Marty recorded a career record of 110-12 with 41 pins as a Gopher. Combined with his freshman season at D-II power NDSU, Martyʼs overall career college record was an impressive 134 wins and just 24 losses. The three oldest Morgan brothers (Glenn, Mike and Danny) were boxers, all turning professional. Danny Morgan fought twice for a World title. Jim Morgan, father to the boys said, "Boxing and wrestling were something we grew up with," said Jim. "If you didnʼt do it, there must be something wrong with you." Father Jim, and brother Danny, are both members of the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame. Marty worked as J Robinsons head assistant for the Gophers from 1996-2008. During that time period, as a team, the Gophers won three National Team Titles, four runner-ups and two third place honors. They also won six Big Ten Championships. After 20 years being part of the University of Minnesota Gophers wrestling program, Marty left in 2008 to help former Gopher NCAA National Champion Brock Lesnar as his head Trainer in Brockʼs pursuit of a career in the UFC. Brock Lesnar went on to win the UFC Heavyweight Title and became one of the most entertaining fighters in UFC history. Marty also trained former Gopher standout, Cole Konrad, in his fight career as Cole amassed a 9-0 MMA record and retired as the Bellator Heavyweight Champion. In 2012, upon Brock and Coleʼs retirement, Marty opened his own real estate brokerage, Morgan and Trust Realty. His brokerage office, located in St. Anthony, MN, emphasizes on the residential side of real estate, assisting both the buyers and sellers. Morgan also has a property management division that manages his own rentals, along with numerous other clients, throughout the Twin Cities. Along with Martyʼs five wrestling and boxing brothers, their family also includes six sisters: Bonnie, Mary, Ellen, Janet, Diana and Jenny, who have all had their share of watching boxing and wrestling over the past five decades. Marty and his wife Tracy have three sons and a daughter: Rowan, a junior, is a 3X State High School tournament qualifier and placed 5th this season. Rowan was a Cadet Folkstyle All-American in 2017, placing 3rd at 195 lbs at Nationals. Mannix, a freshman, qualified for his first State High School tournament this season and has been an All American as a youth wrestler. Quin, a 6th grader, has placed numerous times at the state level and has been an All American at Nationals. Martyʼs daughter Tierney is involved in gymnastics and a member of the traveling North Suburban soccer team. Martyʼs wife Tracy is also an alum of the U of M earning a B.S. and M. Ed degree as well. The boys get some great coaching too as their father Marty has been serving as the Iron Mustangs Youth Wrestling Coach, along with Hall of Famer and former Augsburg College Coaching legend Jeff Swenson. With that coaching dual it certainly appears that Mounds View Wrestling has the best and most "over-qualified" Youth Staff in the entire country! Marty also serves on the Mounds View High School coaching staff as an assistant coach. With this said, it would appear we have not heard the last of the Morgan name in Minnesota Wrestling in future years. From one of Minnesotaʼs great wrestling families, Marty Morgan has made some strong contributions and brought great recognition to the development and strength of wrestling in the state of Minnesota. We proudly recognize him now as a member of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.