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LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | 29 Many times the word "legend" is thrown about far too easily but to refer to Rometo "Rummy" Macias as a coaching legend would be a gross understatement. A Minnesota sports writer called Macias "The Vince Lombardi of Minnesota Wrestling." Rummy distinguished himself during his 38 years at Minnesota State University at Mankato with a long list of awards and titles. His college dual meet record is 317-185 while going against the top wrestling colleges in the nation. While coaching at Minnesota State, Macias coached 19 individual national champions, 92 All-Americans, 2 NAIA championship teams, one NCAA college championship team while others teams placed 7-8-9-10-11 in the Division I championships. Other accomplishments include having the new wrestling facility at the Taylor Sports Center at Minnesota State University named the "Rummy Macias Wrestling Complex" on Oct. 13, 2001. Rummy also coached 145 wrestlers who went on to become head coaches in Minnesota High Schools. As a competitor, Macias placed third in the Iowa state tournament in 1940 at 105 pounds, and after serving in the army during World War II, he went to the University of Iowa where he was a two-time Big Ten champion. He placed third in the National AAU in 1945 and 1946 while placing third at 125.5 pounds in the NCAA tournament in 1948. So devoted to his sport Rummy came out of retirement after moving to Florida where he, at age 78, was coaching Newman High School wrestlers while still getting down on the mat and working on technique. The Florida wrestlers he coached also readily admitted that none would wrestle with the legend because none of them had the nerve to try. He also continued officiating in Florida at 78. Rummy was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in Cresco, Iowa in 2004. He was also recognized with the Lifetime Service award by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Used with permission from the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. ROMETO "RUMMY" MACIAS Wrestled 1944-1948 University of Iowa 125.5lbs WHILE COACHING AT MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MACIAS COACHED 19 INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, 92 ALL-AMERICANS, 2 NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS, ONE NCAA COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM WHILE OTHERS TEAMS PLACED 7-8-9-10-11 IN DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIPS.