MARSHALL, Minn. -  The Minnesota chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has announced that former Southwest Minnesota State wrestling coach and current professor Dr. Mike Sterner is part of the 2009 class that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on April 11, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Owatonna, Minn.

Sterner is one of 11 individuals who will be inducted and receive the Lifetime Service Award this year.  A social for SMSU alumni, former wrestlers and friends and family of Sterner will be held prior to the banquet from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.  Beverages and snacks will be provided.  A general social for all of this year's inductees is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., also at the Holiday Inn.

Sterner has served SMSU as both a professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department and as head wrestling coach.  His reign as the head man of Mustang wrestling began in 1969 when he became the program's second head coach.  Sterner stepped down from that position in 1998, handing the program over to his son, John.  He was also SMSU's head football coach from 1973-1976.

The longest-tenured wrestling coach in school history, Sterner's laundry list of accolades has earned him spots in the NAIA Hall of Fame and SMSU Hall of Honor.  His squad's won six Northern Sun Intercollegiate titles, and he coached 43 All-Americans and two national champions.  Sterner was also named NSIC Coach of the Year seven times.

A native of Boystown, Neb., Sterner was a standout athlete at South Dakota State, distinguishing himself with All-America nods in both football and wrestling.  He was also named the North Central Conference's most valuable player in both sports and qualified for the NCAA wrestling tournament three  times.  In 1992, he received SDSU's Ralph Gin award, given to an SDSU alumnus who has distinguished himself in the coaching profession.

Those wishing to purchase tickets for this year's induction ceremony should contact Spencer Yohe at syohe@acegroup.cc or 320-766-1934.  The program also includes dinner.