He built Northwestern University wrestling into a viable national program and kept the Wildcats among the elite throughout his 22 years at the helm, but Ken Kraft's primary contribution to the sport was the creation of the Midlands Championships, king of open tournaments.

Kraft became head coach at Northwestern in 1957, at the age of 22, after a Wildcat wrestling career that included a Big Ten title and his school's Medal of Honor. He remains active on the Northwestern scene 40 years later as senior associate athletic director.

In 1960, he coached his brother Art to the NCAA championship, a feat unmatched for 34 years. Art Kraft went on to become one of the nation's outstanding junior college coaches. Ken produced another national champion in Mark Massery and coached 11 conference champs and 14 All-Americans.

He left an indelible mark on the sport in 1963, when he founded the Midlands, a tournament destined to become America's favorite holiday wrestling event. Over three and a half decades, it has attracted almost every noteworthy American wrestler.

Part of the organizing committee of USA Wrestling, Kraft served on its board of directors from 1965 to 1980, with two terms as president. In 1976, he presided over the dedication of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and was USA Wrestling Man of the Year. Kraft also helped found the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation wrestling program, now the Wildcat Wrestling Club.

In 1970, he directed the NCAA Championships at Northwestern. He was USA team leader to the 1971 World Championships. Kraft has written numerous articles, an instructional text, Mastering Wrestling, and has been a television commentator for NCAA meets and two Olympics.

For his lasting contribution to the advancement of wrestling on many levels, Ken Kraft is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.