Lifetime Service Bert Kraus took control of the Lyons wrestling program in 1956 upon the retirement of the legendary Max Armer "” himself an Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame inductee. Over the course of the next fifteen seasons the Kraus-led Lions became a force to be reckoned with "” at both the conference level (the prestigious West Suburban) as well as the state level. In an era where a dozen or so dual meets per season was the norm, the Lions averaged more than ten dual-meet wins each season. All-in-all, Bert's squads won 159 dual meets, seven Conference Titles and four IHSA District Titles. His 1962 squad finished sixth in the IHSA State Tournament. The following year, 1963, they moved up a notch by placing fifth in the state tournament. Twenty-six individuals under Bert's tutelage qualified for the IHSA State Championships with eleven earning place medals "” two of these individuals were State Champions. As is the case with Hall of Fame caliber individuals, Bert's contributions to the sport far exceeded his efforts matside. In the early 1960s Bert was persuaded to join the efforts of Dick Coldren and Ken Kraft "” two Northwestern Alumni "” along with Jack Heiner as they sought to create a collegiate tournament in the Midwest during the winter break. Through the efforts of these four they put together what was first called the Mid-American Wrestling Tournament "” today this tournament, renamed, is better known simply as the Midlands "” perhaps the most prestigious open tournament in the country. When the Midlands quickly outgrew its original venue "” the YMCA in LaGrange "” Bert Kraus offered to run the tournament at his high school. Consequently, for the next seven years the tournament would be held at Lyons Township High School. Today Bert, although not actively engaged in running the Midlands, remains close to the organization and regularly consults with the tournament directors. Bert was also a licensed mat official. Throughout his officiating career he has been assigned to work at a variety of levels. In 1978 he worked the NCAA Division III Championships. The following year he officiated at the NCAA I Regional Tournament in Las Vegas. Finally, in 1982 Bert Kraus was assigned to officiate the NCAA Division I Championships. This pioneer of Illinois wrestling was honored by his peers in 1976 when the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association inducted Bert into its Hall of Fame. In 1997 Bert was selected as a Grand Marshal for the IHSA Individual State Championships.