University of Minnesota Athletics
Alumni Corner: Don Meyers (Class of 1958)
5/27/2019 10:27:00 AM | Wrestling, M Club
Don Meyers (Class of 1958) caught up with Gopher Sports to discuss his Gophers wrestling career and nearly 40-year career in public education. Meyers was a Minnesota State Champion who became the Gophers team captain in his final season, but considers his biggest accomplishments to be sending seven wrestlers to the Maroon and Gold with two of them becoming high school wrestling coaches themselves. With fond memories on the mat, the most impactful parts of wrestling happened off the mat for Meyers.
Check it out!
GopherSports: Since graduating from the University of Minnesota, what have you been up to?
DM: My 34-year career was in secondary public education in Fridley, Minnesota. I spent years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and finally Principal of Fridley High School.
GopherSports: Where do you currently live and work?
DM: My wife, Mary Sue and I live in Blaine, MN. I have been retired since 1992, although I have had several short-term jobs.Longest of those was a Membership Director for a local country club where I could pursue my other passion: golf!
GopherSports: What are your favorite memories of Gopher wrestling that you still look back on?
DM: Being a member of the U of MN Gopher team.Our Gopher team won the 1957 Big Ten Wrestling Championship at Ohio State beating Michigan by one point! I was captain of the team and Wally Johnson was our coach. It was the first championship for wrestling since 1941 (I believe).Very thrilling. I have made many friendships with teammates and have remained in contact with many members of that team over the past 60+ years.Those friendships have been the real treasure.
GopherSports: What were the biggest differences between Minnesota wrestling then and now?
DM: We were pretty good, but today's Gopher wrestlers are better. We wrestled from November through March. That was our season, because Wally Johnson was the freshman football coach, so he was not available until football was over, and there was no assistant coach. Current wrestlers go nearly year-round. Most of them also started when they were very young. None of my teammates wrestled before junior high school so our skill level was far below what we see on the mat today.
They also get better advice on nutrition, training, academics, etc. from staff. Those staff were not available in the 1950's. We practiced in North Tower, a long, narrow room in the old Memorial stadium. Today the facilities are amazing! Ours were not.
We wrestled teams in the Big Ten and a few other Midwest schools. Today the Big Ten encompasses many more teams, and the Gophers wrestle the best outside of the conference. We drove in cars to all competitions, except Northwestern where we took an overnight train to Chicago.Today the team travels by plane to distant schools.We wrestled our home meets in Williams arena to crowds of 200-400. Today, I believe the Gophers average over 3000 fans for meets in the Maturi Pavilion.
Lastly, I want to say that the experience of representing the University of Minnesota on the mat, was the same "Big Deal" in the 1950's as it is today. We were very proud of being able to wear the Maroon and Gold, as are the current wrestlers.The "M" is a big deal!
GopherSports: What lessons did you learn as a Gopher wrestler?
DM: Wrestling is hard.Life is hard. Plan your work. Plan to work hard. Give it your best always, support your colleagues and be a model for them in all you do. Play by the rules, but fight to change those that need changing. Wrestling is one of the best activities for developing habits that lead to success. By its' very one-on-one nature a wrestler can monitor his improvement or lack thereof.
By the nature of the sport a wrestler is forced to be honest with himself about effort, training, and goals.All of which apply to post-college life. I am surprised that wrestling made me much more comfortable with the idea of serving in a leadership position, regardless of the activity in which I found myself. Being a planner comes with the activity.
GopherSports: What advice would you give current Gopher wrestlers?
DM: Graduate from the University. Wrestling has and will provide wonderful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime, but your degree from our Minnesota will serve you well in life. Stay involved in wrestling in whatever way you can. Plan to give back! All your life! Become an official, become a contributor, remain a supporter; give back. Those who will follow you need to know people care about wrestling. The sport needs your support!
To bring a focus on your future involvement, think about the people who have spent countless hours encouraging you and training you to be successful. Be sure to thank them. Stay in touch with your teammates. You have been through a lot together, and may need each other down the road. Lastly, support and give back to the University of Minnesota, particularly to wrestling and the Athletic Department. Remember how you have benefited from being a Gopher Wrestler.
GopherSports: How are you still involved with wrestling?
DM: Most of my involvement today is as a fan of wrestling. Specifically, I am a fan of the Gophers and my former High School program in Fridley. I am a wrestling season ticket holder and see their home meets. I assist with some fundraising at those two schools. Currently, for the Gophers I serve on a Wrestling Golf Tournament Committee and the Gopher Wrestling Gala Committee, which started in 2018. Last year the Gala Committee raised funds for the new wrestling locker room among other things.
Check it out!
GopherSports: Since graduating from the University of Minnesota, what have you been up to?
DM: My 34-year career was in secondary public education in Fridley, Minnesota. I spent years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and finally Principal of Fridley High School.
GopherSports: Where do you currently live and work?
DM: My wife, Mary Sue and I live in Blaine, MN. I have been retired since 1992, although I have had several short-term jobs.Longest of those was a Membership Director for a local country club where I could pursue my other passion: golf!
GopherSports: What are your favorite memories of Gopher wrestling that you still look back on?
DM: Being a member of the U of MN Gopher team.Our Gopher team won the 1957 Big Ten Wrestling Championship at Ohio State beating Michigan by one point! I was captain of the team and Wally Johnson was our coach. It was the first championship for wrestling since 1941 (I believe).Very thrilling. I have made many friendships with teammates and have remained in contact with many members of that team over the past 60+ years.Those friendships have been the real treasure.
GopherSports: What were the biggest differences between Minnesota wrestling then and now?
DM: We were pretty good, but today's Gopher wrestlers are better. We wrestled from November through March. That was our season, because Wally Johnson was the freshman football coach, so he was not available until football was over, and there was no assistant coach. Current wrestlers go nearly year-round. Most of them also started when they were very young. None of my teammates wrestled before junior high school so our skill level was far below what we see on the mat today.
They also get better advice on nutrition, training, academics, etc. from staff. Those staff were not available in the 1950's. We practiced in North Tower, a long, narrow room in the old Memorial stadium. Today the facilities are amazing! Ours were not.
We wrestled teams in the Big Ten and a few other Midwest schools. Today the Big Ten encompasses many more teams, and the Gophers wrestle the best outside of the conference. We drove in cars to all competitions, except Northwestern where we took an overnight train to Chicago.Today the team travels by plane to distant schools.We wrestled our home meets in Williams arena to crowds of 200-400. Today, I believe the Gophers average over 3000 fans for meets in the Maturi Pavilion.
Lastly, I want to say that the experience of representing the University of Minnesota on the mat, was the same "Big Deal" in the 1950's as it is today. We were very proud of being able to wear the Maroon and Gold, as are the current wrestlers.The "M" is a big deal!
GopherSports: What lessons did you learn as a Gopher wrestler?
DM: Wrestling is hard.Life is hard. Plan your work. Plan to work hard. Give it your best always, support your colleagues and be a model for them in all you do. Play by the rules, but fight to change those that need changing. Wrestling is one of the best activities for developing habits that lead to success. By its' very one-on-one nature a wrestler can monitor his improvement or lack thereof.
By the nature of the sport a wrestler is forced to be honest with himself about effort, training, and goals.All of which apply to post-college life. I am surprised that wrestling made me much more comfortable with the idea of serving in a leadership position, regardless of the activity in which I found myself. Being a planner comes with the activity.
GopherSports: What advice would you give current Gopher wrestlers?
DM: Graduate from the University. Wrestling has and will provide wonderful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime, but your degree from our Minnesota will serve you well in life. Stay involved in wrestling in whatever way you can. Plan to give back! All your life! Become an official, become a contributor, remain a supporter; give back. Those who will follow you need to know people care about wrestling. The sport needs your support!
To bring a focus on your future involvement, think about the people who have spent countless hours encouraging you and training you to be successful. Be sure to thank them. Stay in touch with your teammates. You have been through a lot together, and may need each other down the road. Lastly, support and give back to the University of Minnesota, particularly to wrestling and the Athletic Department. Remember how you have benefited from being a Gopher Wrestler.
GopherSports: How are you still involved with wrestling?
DM: Most of my involvement today is as a fan of wrestling. Specifically, I am a fan of the Gophers and my former High School program in Fridley. I am a wrestling season ticket holder and see their home meets. I assist with some fundraising at those two schools. Currently, for the Gophers I serve on a Wrestling Golf Tournament Committee and the Gopher Wrestling Gala Committee, which started in 2018. Last year the Gala Committee raised funds for the new wrestling locker room among other things.
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