Hall of Fame

Roger * Denker

  • Class
  • Induction
    2001
  • Sport(s)
    Mules Wrestling Coach
Roger Denker
Mules Wrestling Coach, 1963-81
Denker guided the Mules' wrestling program to national prominence during his 17-year tenure as head coach. Highly respected as a coach, educator and administrator, Denker coached the Mules to seven MIAA championships and six top 20 finishes at the NCAA Division II Championships. Three times he was voted MIAA coach of the year. The Mules had 10 All-Americans and 63 national qualifiers under Denker. His 143 dual match wins are the most in Mules' wrestling history.

In addition to his wrestling coaching duties, Denker also was an assistant football coach for the Mules from 1963 to 1972 and taught in the physical education department. He also served as acting athletics director for the 1980-81 school year. He retired from coaching after the 1980-81 season and retired from teaching with the rank of professor emeritus in 1993. He has been previously inducted into the South Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Missouri Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Mules have one of their open tournaments each season named in his honor.


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