Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas to Honor Matthews and Minkel
12/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Chippewa Fund
MOUNT PLEASANT A pair of former Central Michigan University wrestlers will be honored on Jan. 20 with the retirement of their singlets.
John Matthews and Tom Minkel will become the first wrestlers in school history to have their singlets ceremoniously raised to the rafters of Rose Arena. CMU is hosting a special recognition event when the No. 6-ranked Chippewas host the No. 7-ranked Michigan Wolverines for a dual meet beginning at 2 p.m.
There will be a pre-meet reception hosted by the Chippewa Club at 1 p.m. in Rose Arena and the group will reconvene at O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grille after the match.
CMU wrestling has won nine straight Mid-American Conference titles but Chippewa wrestling has a tradition that dates back to the mid-1950s. In the early 1970s, Matthews and Minkel had standout careers in the Maroon and Gold and their wrestling career continued after college.
Matthews was a two-time team MVP in 1973 and ’74, capturing a MAC title in 1974. He was 79-28-6 in his career at CMU.
Minkel was a three-time All-American, earning both Division I and Division II honors in 1970 and Division II honors in 1971 (Division II athletes were eligible to wrestle in the Division I tournament at the time). Minkel was also a two-time team MVP, earning the honor in 1970 and ’71. He also won a pair of Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Titles in 1969 and ’70.
Both wrestlers then went on to earn sports on the USA Greco Roman Olympic team. Matthews represent the USA in 1976 and 1980 and Minkel wrestled for the Red, White and Blue in 1980. Unfortunately, the Americans boycotted the 1980 games in Moscow, Russia. Matthews was also an alternate for the 1984 team.
Both wrestlers were inducted into the Central Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame with Matthews going in with the inaugural class of 1984 and Minkel the following year in 1985.
Matthews currently resides in Arizona where he is active in coaching in USA Wrestling’s developmental program. Minkel is in his 17th season as head coach at Michigan State after leading CMU for two seasons.
For more information on the recognition event, contact Chippewa Club Director Craig Willey at 989-774-6192.
John Matthews and Tom Minkel will become the first wrestlers in school history to have their singlets ceremoniously raised to the rafters of Rose Arena. CMU is hosting a special recognition event when the No. 6-ranked Chippewas host the No. 7-ranked Michigan Wolverines for a dual meet beginning at 2 p.m.
There will be a pre-meet reception hosted by the Chippewa Club at 1 p.m. in Rose Arena and the group will reconvene at O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grille after the match.
CMU wrestling has won nine straight Mid-American Conference titles but Chippewa wrestling has a tradition that dates back to the mid-1950s. In the early 1970s, Matthews and Minkel had standout careers in the Maroon and Gold and their wrestling career continued after college.
Matthews was a two-time team MVP in 1973 and ’74, capturing a MAC title in 1974. He was 79-28-6 in his career at CMU.
Minkel was a three-time All-American, earning both Division I and Division II honors in 1970 and Division II honors in 1971 (Division II athletes were eligible to wrestle in the Division I tournament at the time). Minkel was also a two-time team MVP, earning the honor in 1970 and ’71. He also won a pair of Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Titles in 1969 and ’70.
Both wrestlers then went on to earn sports on the USA Greco Roman Olympic team. Matthews represent the USA in 1976 and 1980 and Minkel wrestled for the Red, White and Blue in 1980. Unfortunately, the Americans boycotted the 1980 games in Moscow, Russia. Matthews was also an alternate for the 1984 team.
Both wrestlers were inducted into the Central Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame with Matthews going in with the inaugural class of 1984 and Minkel the following year in 1985.
Matthews currently resides in Arizona where he is active in coaching in USA Wrestling’s developmental program. Minkel is in his 17th season as head coach at Michigan State after leading CMU for two seasons.
For more information on the recognition event, contact Chippewa Club Director Craig Willey at 989-774-6192.
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