Mike Swisher first wrestled at University HS in Morgantown, WV, and in college at the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduation and commissioning, Mike was stationed in Germany, where he was fortunate to attend a clinic on international officiating given by Dr. Vince Zuaro. The rest, as they say, is history; Mike is unsurpassed in the breadth and depth of his officiating, both in Virginia and around the world.

For Virginia, he worked VHSL events for 20 years, including 5 VHSL state championships. His steady excellence quickly propelled him to a 10-year stint in the NCAA ranks. Meanwhile, that Olympic-style clinic from Dr. Zuaro served him well, as he dedicated himself to 40 years of service in USA Wrestling, including 20 years with an International Officiating License: 20 Senior National Championships, 8 Armed Forces Championships, 7 World Team Trials, the 2016 Olympic Trials, and a total of 33 international tournaments, among which were 5 World Championships.

Mike is driven by a service ethic that leads him to instill professionalism among his peers. He was Commissioner of the Peninsula Wrestling Officials Association for 10 seasons, including 5 years as the association’s Assignor. For USA Wrestling, he was the state officials’ Director for 5 years, and, because he can’t stay off the mat, he has been an instructor for the USA Wrestling Officials Education Program since 2007.

Such achievement does not go unrecognized. Mike received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 from the USA Wrestling Officials Association, which also in 2017 bestowed on him the Mort Geller Award, for outstanding officiating skills at the international level and dedication as a clinician.  He is considered to be “a mentor to the mentors.”