Hall of Fame

Mike Sterner

  • Class
  • Induction
    2000
  • Sport(s)

Southwest State University
Wrestling Head Coach 1969-98
Football Head Coach 1973-76

In 1972-73 Mike Sterner took over a fledgling Southwest State wrestling program and made it his own. He dug in with passion and energy to lead a Mustang program that frequently produced All-Americans and top finishes at the NAIA national meet. Sterner won 255 dual meets in 29 years as SSU's wrestling coach. He also coached football from 1973-76. He coached 47 wrestling All-Americans and three national champions - John Sterner, Ted Bullerman, and Link Steffen. His Mustangs won six conference titles and, 21 times, finished with a dual-meet record of .500 or better. In 1989 alone, SSU produced six All-Americans and finished seventh as a team, their best showing ever at nationals. This is not his first Hall of Fame induction. Sterner is already a member of the national NAIA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. Sterner and his twin brother, John were raised as orphans in Boy's Town, the famous Nebraska orphanage. Mike went on to become an All-American football player at South Dakota State. His brother is now the wrestling coach at Minnesota State Moorhead.