University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Former Panther wrestler Mike Allen to be inducted into Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame
2/19/2024 2:27:00 PM | Wrestling
CRESCO, Iowa --- Former Panther wrestler Mike Allen, a conference champion for UNI in the early 1970s, will be among the latest class of inductees to the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, as announced on Monday afternoon.
Allen, a two-sports athlete at UNI in both wrestling and football, built his career as one of the nation's top college and high school wrestling referees. The first African-American to officiate the Iowa High School State Tournament, he was named the Iowa Wrestling Official of the Year three times (1980, 1987, 1992) and also worked 23 NCAA Championships and multiple Division I conference championships tournaments, including the Big Ten and Big 12.
Allen was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame first in 2007 as a meritorious official, and again in 2014 into the Hall of Fame's Iowa Chapter with a Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award. In 2010 he was inducted into the Glen Brand Hall of Fame.
Allen is among six members of the 2024 induction class that also includes:
- Leslie Beers
- Arthur Holding
- Jay Borschel
- Trent Paulson
- Travis Paulson
The 2024 induction ceremony will be held on Monday, April 8 at the Heritage Events Center/McAllister's in Cresco. This year's ceremony will feature a 5:30 p.m. CT social hour, followed by a banquet at 6:30 p.m. CT. Tickets may be purchased for $30 by contacting the Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce at 563-647-3434.
ABOUT THE IOWA WRESTLING HALL OF FAME
The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame's sole purpose is the promotion of amateur wrestling. With a rich history of honoring native Iowans at the annual awards banquet and induction ceremony, the inaugural banquet was held in 1970. Following the 53rd annual awards induction ceremony, the number of inductees will include 147 outstanding individuals signifying their contributions to amateur wrestling. The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame is located in the Cresco Welcome Center at the intersection of Highway 9 and Elm Street and is open 9-5 Monday through Friday. For more info visit www.iowawrestlinghalloffame.com or Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame on Facebook.
