Jerry Reker is the second of 8 siblings. He attended Fulda High School (Class of 1970) and participated in wrestling, football, baseball, and track. His senior year he finished third in the Region wrestling tournament at 165 under the one-class system with no true second matches. 9th grade was the first time he had wrestled or watched a match. He attended Southwest Minnesota State University completing a Bachelor of Science in Physical and Health Education. Jerry was a four-year starter and letter winner in both wrestling and football at SMSU. He was the President of the Lettermen’s Club and was in charge of running the concession stand. He was First-Team All-Conference in both sports and was the first All-American wrestler from SMSU. He also had a professional football tryout with the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. He completed his Masters and Sixth Year degrees in Educational Administration at Mankato State University.

Jerry taught Physical and Health Education and coached wrestling, football, and baseball in Logan, Iowa from 1975-1982. He returned to Minnesota where he coached wrestling for Grand Meadow-LeRoy Ostrander (GMLO) from 1982-1986 and football from 1982-1993. He moved to Wabasha-Kellogg and coached football from 1993-1998.

His overall head football coaching record was 94-45, with a State Class C Runner Up at Grand Meadow in 1987, and coached the Minnesota All-Star Out-State team in 1990. He has taken more than 15 wrestlers to the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament from 1982-1986 with a team record of 33-11, and 30 wrestlers to the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament from 1975-1982 with a team record of 70-2-1. His overall wrestling coaching record was 103-13-1. He has been very involved in many elementary/youth wrestling programs as a coach and an official.

Jerry wrestled competitively in Folkstyle Old Timers Tournaments throughout the Midwest from 1976-1985 compiling a 96-2 record with 8 outstanding wrestler awards. He wrestled for a team out of Omaha, Nebraska with and against many National Champions and All-Americans.

Jerry started officiating wrestling in 1985 and has continued for 36 years. He is still active as an official mentoring young officials and has served in the capacity of head clinician for the Southern Minnesota Wrestling Officials Association. Jerry has been selected to officiate in 25 Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournaments and is consistently rated as one of the top officials in the state.

Jerry is a member of the inaugural Southwest Minnesota State University Hall of Fame, Mayo Civic Center and Region One Hall of Fame, Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association, National Wrestling Officials Association, Intercollegiate College Wrestling Officials Association, Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame, Minnesota State High School League Distinguished Service Award, and was recognized in 2005 and 2007 as the Section 1AA and Section 1A Official of the Year.

He has worked many NCAA National Tournaments and Qualifiers (Division 1, 2, 3, and JUCO) and is regarded as one of the top NCAA wrestling officials in Minnesota. He is currently a Big Ten and NCAA Official/Evaluator and is working some High School matches.

Jerry’s ability to work well and communicate with others, be a team player and remain dedicated to students and student-athletes assisted him in his forty-year career in School Administration and Education. He was a High School Principal and Superintendent in Minnesota for a total of thirty-five years.

Jerry’s leadership and service has been demonstrated through his MSHSL, Region, and Section Committee, and Advisory Board contributions. He represented the MSHSL wrestling officials/administrators working with the Minnesota Department of Health to develop guidelines for controlling infections among athletes and serving as an MSHSL Clinician. He was a member of the MSHSL and Iowa Wrestling Advisory Boards for 10 years.

Jerry’s wife’s name is Darc and they have 3 adult children, Ryan (Sara), Jon (Heather), and Racquel, and 4 beautiful granddaughters, Regan (16), Stella (9), Vayda (6), and Eila (1). Jerry loves to spend time with his family and friends, bike, and work out!! He is usually seen wearing wrestling logo clothing and is always busy!