Mike Hawkins has fond memories of his first wrestling "mat." When he was a youngster, Mike's father gave him and his older brother permission to break open a hay bale on their Western Slope ranch and scatter it on the ground. That provided a little cushion as Hawkins' brother taught him some wrestling basics. "I did those moves well out of desperation to escape my brother, who was 40 pounds heavier than me,'' Hawkins remembers. It also spurred a lifetime love affair with the sport, one that saw him win two high school state championships at Palisade High School, claim a top-five finish in the NJCAA championships at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, and win a state championship as a coach at Weld Central High School. Following his time at Northeastern, Hawkins attended the University of Northern Colorado. After graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Weld Central High School in Keenesburg, and he also agreed to become the school's wrestling coach in 1970, "Only because my wife (Carol) talked me into it." Success at Weld Central did not come easily. After a poor showing at the district meet early in his coaching career, Hawkins vowed not to quit until his team won a state championship. To lay the foundation for that goal, Hawkins and Carol started a youth program in the area that had as many as 120 wrestlers involved at a time. The group included his sons, Troy and Taran, they helped their father recognize his goal. In 1991, Weld Central won the 3A Colorado state championship. Hawkins was named the 3A coach of the year. The Rebels qualified 11 wrestlers for the state tournament and finished with nine state placers. While they did not have an individual champion, they dominated the meet so thoroughly that they had the team title wrapped up before the championship session began. However, Hawkins' approach to coaching involved more than just the wrestling room. It also involved life lessons that his wrestlers carried with them long after graduation. "I had the honor of coaching and mentoring over 300 young men, some of whom I still have contact with," Hawkins said. "My philosophy was for each young man to have manners, show respect, work hard, and above all have fun. I preached that their behavior reflects on their parents, school, and community. Represent them well." Hawkins stepped away from coaching after the 1991 championship season, however, returned to coach at Briggsdale High School for a year in 1995, then served as an assistant coach at Weld Central High for another decade. He is now retired from teaching and coaching, and has returned to his ranching roots on the Western Slope. But he still attends the state tournament on an annual basis, and lends his support to the sport whenever and wherever possible. "I cherish the friendships I have made over the years not only state-wide, but nationally," he said. "I thank my dad for allowing me to bust open a hay bale and begin my long career as a wrestler."