...were among the 300+ people who attended a dinner honoring Mike Duroe last night. True wrestling royalty was there, from four Olympic gold medalists to the executive director of USA Wrestling. It was a heartwarming outpouring of support.
Dozens of athletes, coaches, friends and family members gave emotional testimonials about what Mike has meant to them. Chad Beatty (who sat at the same table as I) and Terry Brands were among the speakers. The funniest anecdote came from Cornell national champ, Alex Coolidge. He said, "I was cocky when I got to Cornell, but one of the seniors pulled me aside and told me to listen to Duroe's advice. The most important thing Duroe said to me was 'Coolidge, if you have one good sweat and one ejaculation every day, you'll have a good life'". (Alex now spends his time fighting forest fires.) Terry called him "the best coach I've known".
USAW executive director, Rich Bender, pointed out that Mike, as head coach of the 1999 women's team and an assistant on this year's men's team, is the only coach in the world to be on the staffs of a 'women's and men's world freestyle championship team. Mike has been on the staff of every American Olympic team since 1996 and was in the corner with Gable for Tom brands' gold medal win.
I've known Mike for 8 years. I interviewed him for my old blog and found him to be fascinating. He helped get Wrestling for Life off the ground by helping me launch our first big effort - giving away over 600 tickets to the 2010 NCAA Division III Championships. When we began giving wrestling shoes to kids and schools that couldn't afford them, he was once more at the forefront, helping get shoes to Eastern Iowa middle schools.
Gable gave the last testimonial. He called Mike his best friend and "a true leader in American wrestling".
"We both love saunas and even went to a world sauna convention together. For many years I lived in a house with five women and Mike Duroe was the only man that all of them liked.", Gable said.
The evening closed with Mike, himself, speaking. He spoke several times of his passion for wrestling and his faith. Tears were common among crowd members. The effects of the brain cancer were painfully evident.
Kudos go out to Terry Brands and Dick Simmons for putting the event together.
Dozens of athletes, coaches, friends and family members gave emotional testimonials about what Mike has meant to them. Chad Beatty (who sat at the same table as I) and Terry Brands were among the speakers. The funniest anecdote came from Cornell national champ, Alex Coolidge. He said, "I was cocky when I got to Cornell, but one of the seniors pulled me aside and told me to listen to Duroe's advice. The most important thing Duroe said to me was 'Coolidge, if you have one good sweat and one ejaculation every day, you'll have a good life'". (Alex now spends his time fighting forest fires.) Terry called him "the best coach I've known".
USAW executive director, Rich Bender, pointed out that Mike, as head coach of the 1999 women's team and an assistant on this year's men's team, is the only coach in the world to be on the staffs of a 'women's and men's world freestyle championship team. Mike has been on the staff of every American Olympic team since 1996 and was in the corner with Gable for Tom brands' gold medal win.
I've known Mike for 8 years. I interviewed him for my old blog and found him to be fascinating. He helped get Wrestling for Life off the ground by helping me launch our first big effort - giving away over 600 tickets to the 2010 NCAA Division III Championships. When we began giving wrestling shoes to kids and schools that couldn't afford them, he was once more at the forefront, helping get shoes to Eastern Iowa middle schools.
Gable gave the last testimonial. He called Mike his best friend and "a true leader in American wrestling".
"We both love saunas and even went to a world sauna convention together. For many years I lived in a house with five women and Mike Duroe was the only man that all of them liked.", Gable said.
The evening closed with Mike, himself, speaking. He spoke several times of his passion for wrestling and his faith. Tears were common among crowd members. The effects of the brain cancer were painfully evident.
Kudos go out to Terry Brands and Dick Simmons for putting the event together.
