Joe Zuspann, a Fort Dodge, Iowa native, was an Iowa state champion for Fort Dodge High School after a runner-up finish as a sophomore and a third-place finish as a junior. Zuspann was a High School Freestyle National Champion his senior year in Iowa City.

Zuspann was a three-time All-American for Iowa State University and helped the Cyclones capture the 1977 NCAA team title with a runner-up finish as a junior. He finished third as a sophomore and fourth as a senior. A two-time Olympic Trials participant, Zuspann became an assistant coach at Iowa State and the University of Rhode Island.

He then built a successful wrestling program at Lawton High School, winning four Oklahoma state championships and a national title in 1993.

Joe and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 45 years. They have two children, Chelsea and Zac, and six grandchildren. Together, he and his wife own a real estate investment company and have been in business for 42 years.