Central Michigan University Athletics
Three Individuals to be Honored at Wrestling Golf Outing
6/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
MOUNT PLEASANT The Central Michigan wrestling program has announced that three individuals will earn special recognition at the program’s annual golf outing next Friday, June 19.
Bill Bupp, Rod Rapp and Dick Kirchner will be honored for their contributions to Central Michigan University and the sport of wrestling.
Bupp is a 1965 graduate of CMU who was instrumental in high school wrestling in the state of Michigan. A former high school wrestling coach and athletics director, Bupp helped organize the current Michigan high school state championships format while serving as wrestling director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Rapp also graduated from CMU in 1965. He was an NAIA All-American in 1963 and was selected CMU’s Most Valuable Wrestler as a senior in 1964. Rapp won an IIAC title at 167 pounds in 1964. Rapp was a teacher at Mount Pleasant High School for 37 years, and he served as the school’s head wrestling coach for 24 years. He coached the Oilers to six team state championships and mentored 41 individual state champions.
Kirchner was the first full-time wrestling coach in CMU history, guiding the Chippewas from 1956-64. He coached four All-America selections, including two-time NAIA national champion and one-time runner-up John Rollins at 137 pounds, and never had a losing season in eight years as head coach. Kirchner mentored seven IIAC individual champions and 10 IIAC runners-up, and he was inducted into the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
The CMU wrestling program’s annual golf outing will be held at Mount Pleasant Country Club. Click here for more information on the outing.
Bill Bupp, Rod Rapp and Dick Kirchner will be honored for their contributions to Central Michigan University and the sport of wrestling.
Bupp is a 1965 graduate of CMU who was instrumental in high school wrestling in the state of Michigan. A former high school wrestling coach and athletics director, Bupp helped organize the current Michigan high school state championships format while serving as wrestling director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Rapp also graduated from CMU in 1965. He was an NAIA All-American in 1963 and was selected CMU’s Most Valuable Wrestler as a senior in 1964. Rapp won an IIAC title at 167 pounds in 1964. Rapp was a teacher at Mount Pleasant High School for 37 years, and he served as the school’s head wrestling coach for 24 years. He coached the Oilers to six team state championships and mentored 41 individual state champions.
Kirchner was the first full-time wrestling coach in CMU history, guiding the Chippewas from 1956-64. He coached four All-America selections, including two-time NAIA national champion and one-time runner-up John Rollins at 137 pounds, and never had a losing season in eight years as head coach. Kirchner mentored seven IIAC individual champions and 10 IIAC runners-up, and he was inducted into the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
The CMU wrestling program’s annual golf outing will be held at Mount Pleasant Country Club. Click here for more information on the outing.
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