Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/279748
LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | 43 Over the past 15-20 years, writers of Mexican American history have begun to explore the story of this population in the Midwest section of the United States. It is not surprising to learn that many of these Mexicanos came to work in industry and agriculture, but it is surprising to learn that one of the sons of such workers eventually became one of the most successful wrestlers and coaches in the history of the state of Michigan. This, then, is the story of Michael Rodriguez, a two-time All American for the Wolverines and the coach with most victories in state history. Michael Rodriguez was born on March 30, 1932 in Ann Arbor. His parents came to Michigan from Mexico in 1929, and, to hear Mike tell the story, they did not have enough money to get to Detroit, so the conductor forced them off the train in Ann Arbor. While there was a fairly large Mexican population in the Motor City by this time, Ann Arbor was different; with Coach Rodriguez noting that his was one of only two familias in the area. The difficulties faced in daily life did not deter the five sons of the Rodriguez clan from succeeding, however. Mike's family sacrificed and sent him to prep school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he garnered one National Prep Championship. This success attracted the attention of Cliff Keen, who brought Rodriguez back to his home state to don the blue and maize of the Wolverines. Rodriguez was a three-time Big Ten Champion at 157 pounds from1955-1957 and Outstanding Wrestler of the 1957 tourney. He twice earned All-America honors, finishing second in the 1955 and 1957 NCAA Championships. After completing his university eligibility, he wrestled at the international level, being named an alternate for the 1960 Rome US Olympic team, earning an AAU National Championship, and finishing fifth in the 1961 World Championships at 147.5 pounds. Although his on-mat successes are numerous and impressive, Rodriguez made his mark coaching the Detroit Central Catholic High School Shamrocks for 40 years, from 1967 – 2007. His squads won state titles in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1978, 1983, and 1988. He also guided River Rouge High School to a state title in 1964 and guided the school to a runner up finish in 1963. Other accolades include: induction into the Catholic High School League Hall of Fame in 1987, being named Michigan Coach-of-the-Year three times, and National Coach-of-the-Year in 1972. In addition to leading his grapplers, Coach Rodriguez also guided DCC's golf team between 1968 and 1976, and claimed two Catholic League and three regional crowns. Coach Rodriguez is now "retired," and living near DCC's campus which, no surprise here, houses the Mike Rodriguez Wrestling Complex. Coach Rodriguez continues to inspire Detroit area youths through his work with the Beat the Streets Program, designed to keep kids in school and counter the insidious plague of gang violence through education and instruction in wrestling. On one of the first days with participants, Rodriguez proclaimed that the goal of this undertaking was to make the members both "hard-nosed people and godly people." Coach Mike Rodriguez is a shining example of the value of sport in the life of a community. He and June, his wife of 61 years, have served as mentors and substitute parents for hundreds of children in Michigan over the past decades. They have taught them to be productive citizens, as well as great wrestlers. MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ Wrestled 1950-1957 University of Michigan 157lbs // 147lbs