For Immediate Release
May 1, 2002
Leo Kocher Honored by IWCOA
Chicago -- University of Chicago Head Wrestling Coach Leo Kocher was recently named Man of the Year by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).
Kocher has developed a nationally-competitive wrestling program during his 22-year tenure at Chicago. During his career, he has coached 19 All-Americans, including a pair of NCAA Division III champions. He has guided Chicago to four top-15 team finishes at the NCAA III Championship, and this past season he led the Maroons to their eighth University Athletic Association crown.
Prior to his arrival at Chicago, Kocher served a two-year stint as assistant coach at Northwestern University. Kocher began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois University.
In addition to his coaching experience, Kocher has been actively involved in collegiate wrestling as a member of the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee. From 1990-96, he was a member of this 12-person committee which oversaw the rules of wrestling and the conduct of NCAA Wrestling Championships in Divisions I, II, and III.
Kocher enjoyed an outstanding competitive wrestling career. He competed at Northwestern University where he co-captained the team his senior year. He was a two-time runner-up in the 158-pound weight class at the Midlands Tournament, and was a first alternate at 163 pounds for the U.S. World University Games Freestyle Team.
After his college career, Kocher earned distinction in national and international competition, winning the Montreal Open in 1974 and capturing second place in the 1974 U.S. Freestyle National Open. His other career highlights include a third-place finish at the 1973 U.S. Greco Roman National Open and a fourth-place effort at the 1976 AAU Freestyle National Open.
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