Jim Hazewinkel began wrestling in high school when he was in the eleventh grade in 1960, at Anoka High School. He reached the state finals as a junior and senior, placing second both years. From there he attended St. Cloud State University from 1962-1970, which included years of service in the U.S. Army. Jim became a two-time Northern Intercollegiate Conference Champion and a four-time NAIA National Champion while at St. Cloud State. At that time, Hazewinkel was the third wrestler in the nation to win four college national titles and the first to do it at two different weight classes (115 & 123 lbs).
Starting in 1966, Hazewinkel made seven USA Teams in a row; five World Teams, and two Olympic Teams. He wrestled in three different weight classes in International competition (114.5, 125.5, & 136.5). It is believed that Hazewinkel is the first wrestler from the U.S. to make a World or Olympic Team in three different weight classes (114.5, 125.5, & 136.5).
In 1971, Jim became an Instructor and Head Wrestling Coach at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN. He taught and coached there for twenty years. His teams won two Little College National Titles.
In 1991, he moved to Pensacola, Fla. and became an Instructor and Head Wrestling Coach at Pensacola Christian College. He taught and coached there for fifteen years. Jim inaugurated the first wrestling team at Pensacola Christian College. While there his teams won four NCCAA National Titles and two NCWA National Titles.
In 2006, he moved to Marion, Ala. and is now teaching and is Head Wrestling Coach at Marion Military Institute, a two year Military College. Dave is an assistant coach at Marion as well.
Hazewinkel has been coaching for 41 years and have an overall dual record to of 377-220-11 with 16 conference titles and nine National Team Titles. He has been voted national coach of the year on six different occasions.
The NSIC Hall of Fame will be the seventh that Hazewinkel has been inducted to. In 1975 he was inducted into the NAIA National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1983 it was the St. Cloud State Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was inducted into the Minnesota State Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2004 he was inducted again to the St. Cloud State Hall of Fame, this time with the team from 1963. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honored him in 2005 with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award and in 2007 the National Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted him.
Hazewinkel’s first National AAU tournament was in 1964 winning his first title in 1966. He won his last National AAU title (Masters Division) in 2004 at age 60, which is a span of forty years. His opponent in the finals was 17 years younger in age.