One of Central Minnesota's great wrestling coaches was John DeLozier. DeLozier led Bertha-Hewitt and Rocori High Schools to much success on the wrestling mats during the 1960's to early 1990's. John was introduced to the sport of wrestling his freshman year at Winona high School in 1952. He wrestled in the then 98 lb weight class even though he weighed less than 80 lbs. He became a 3-time State entry (old "one class" tournament) and was a State Runnerup at 95 lbs in 1954 and at 103 lbs in 1955. DeLozier went on to wrestle at Winona State College (now Winona State University) for four years and was an NAIA National Runner-up in 1958 at 123 lbs. He was also Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) Champion that same year. He placed second in the NIC in 1960 and third in 1959. He served as Team Co-Captain all four years at Winona State. As a coach, DeLozier got his first experience as an assistant at his alma mater, Winona State College in 1960- 61. He then started his head coaching career at the high school level at Bertha-Hewitt High School. His team won the District 22 title in his fifth year, and were Runner-ups in Region 6 that season. His coaching record for 8 years at Bertha-Hewitt HS was 58-32-3. In 1969 DeLozier became the head coach at Rocori High School. This public school was only in its second year of existence when John joined the school system as a teacher and coach. He taught and coached at Rocori High School for the next 24 years, retiring in 1993. In all those years he had only one losing season! His teams won 273 meets while losing 104. He had more than 70 individuals qualify for the State Tournament, and 8 teams qualify for the Minnesota State Tournament, from 1983 to 1993. His 1986 team placed 3rd in State, 1984 team placed 4th in State and the 1983 team captured the Consolation title (5th place). Overall DeLozier coached 26 individual state placewinners. DeLozier served as coach of the Class AA (large schools) All-Star Team for the Minnesota vs Wisconsin High School Wrestling Classic. In 32 years DeLozier had over 300 wins in his high school coaching career in an era where far fewer meets were wrestled. After retirement, John volunteered as an assistant coach for several years. He has been honored for his wrestling and coaching success by being inducted into six different Hall of Fames. Beyond wrestling, DeLozier was also a successful Girls Golf Coach for 20 years. Two of those teams qualified the Minnesota State Tournament. Coach DeLozier gives a lot of credit to the sport of wrestling for shaping his life too. He firmly believes the confidence, discipline and success he gained through wrestling helped him make life adjustments and became a better student. He admits the main reason he went to college was to wrestle. He knew if he wanted to keep wrestling he would have to study to stay eligible. In order to teach and coach he would need a college degree. As a lifetime "Service" honoree, DeLozier stands out as well. He served as Region Coaches representative for Region 8AA and worked at the 1996 NCAA I Wrestling Championships. He has also organized and run local youth tournaments or volunteer coach. He definitely has given back to the sport he loves and feels shaped his life. Coach DeLozier's successor as Head Wrestling Coach at Rocori High School, Jeff Mergen, says, "John was an inspiration for many athletes that went on to wrestle in college and several that became college All-Americans, some multiple times." Former coach, Richard Pulju, says, "John is a highly respected person in the community, not only for all his athletic success as a high school and college wrestler and coach, but also as a man of principle, honor, moral and ethical integrity." John and Fran's family include sons Dave and Dan and their wives Jan and Carolyn, daughters Rebecca, Shannon and Teri and their spouses Chris, Dexter, and Manny. They also have ten grandchildren. A talented and accomplished wrestler and coach, John DeLozier left a strong reputation of respect to many people he worked with. His record and accomplishments speak for itself. The praise of his colleagues and all those that he worked with speak to his character. Coach John DeLozier will be remembered by many for years to come, and his induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Minnesota Chapter confirms and highlights his career work and those personal qualities that made him so successful.