Mike Briggs

Mike Briggs was raised on a dairy farm 17 miles outside of Richland Center.  Mike attended a one room Grade school in Sabin and Sylvan Ridge.  Mike’s father was a sports fan and took Mike with him to High School football and wrestling matches while Mike was in grade school. 

Norris Hattlestad, was the Richland Center Wrestling coach at this time.  Norris started an elementary wrestling program when Mike was in grade school.  Mike would receive a ride into town once or twice a week to learn about the sport of wrestling.  By the time Mike entered High School, he was very active in the program.  Mike went from 3 people in his 8th grade class to 200 students in his freshman class in the fall of 1968.  Mike was a 3-sport athlete in High School lettering in football, wrestling, and track.  Competing in wrestling at the state level, Mike finished 2nd in the State his senior year.

Mike was recruited to attend UW-Madison and actually was prepared to attend in the fall of 1972.  However, due to the demonstrations in Madison during the final years of the Vietnam war, he decided to attend UW-La Crosse majoring in Math and Phy. Ed.  Mike made the wrestling team as a freshman and completed in the NAIA National tournament, placing 6th and earning the status of All-American.  Mike’s college wrestling career ended during his sophomore year due to a shoulder injury.  Mike did attempt to compete later but was never able to compete at the same level.

Completing his college math credits, Mike turned his concentration to computer science which was just beginning.  Mike took a job as a computer analyst/programmer with CIA in 1976 in Washington D.C.  However, after a year in D.C. and a change in government leadership, Mike returned La Crosse and completed his teaching degree.

In 1977, Mike was hired as a math teacher and Head Wrestling Coach by Plymouth School District Principal Paul Brandl.  Mike coached the Plymouth’s first State Qualifier and the first Conference Championship team.  Mike turned over the Head Coaching position to Dave McCarthy in 1985 to concentrate on family.  However, Mike has run yearly tournaments in and around Plymouth and East Central Wisconsin for the last 40 years and hopes to continue to host these tournaments in the future.  He enjoys the challenge of changing chaos into organization for the 150-500 kids showing up to excel in a sport he loves. His favorite 4-decade tournament is the Freshman/First Timer tournament that allows beginning wrestlers a chance to succeed.

In 1982, cable came to Plymouth and Mike immediately became part of the local leadership of Plymouth Community Television.  From that time forward, Mike has been filming wrestling and sending it out to the community.

Mike lives in Plymouth with his wife of 40 years, Christine.  They have 3 children: Lee, Ann and Steven.  He cannot thank Chris enough for her help, sacrifices and support over the years. Chris has covered so many Saturdays, allowing Mike to not only run yearly tournaments while also attending 52 State Tournaments and 27 NCAA championships.