This just came across from the Mid-American Conference. Great honor for Penn State head assistant wrestling coach Casey Cunningham.
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Cleveland, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference introduced its 2015 MAC Hall of Fame Class as five new members were inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 27 during the MAC Honor's Dinner at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.
The five inductees are Casey Cunningham (Central Michigan, wrestling), Bob Parks (Eastern Michigan, men's cross country, men's track and field), Ben Roethlisberger (Miami, football), Gary Pinkel (Toledo/Kent State, football) and George Dales (Western Michigan, men's cross country, men's track and field).
"It is only appropriate for our Conference to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our former student-athletes, coaches and administrators, specifically these five individuals, and their achievements during their time competing in the Mid-American Conference," said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, MAC Commissioner. "We are honored to welcome them to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame."
"The Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame is a testament to the achievements of those that have competed and served in this great Conference," added Steinbrecher.
The MAC Hall of Fame was approved by the MAC Council of Presidents in 1987. The charter class was inducted in 1988 and subsequent classes were added in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. After six induction classes, the MAC Hall of Fame maintained 52 members until it was reinstated in May of 2012. This year's class brings the number of MAC Hall of Fame inductees to 77 individuals from 10 classes.
Casey Cunningham- Central Michigan (wrestling):
Casey Cunningham's achievements on the mat are unmatched at Central Michigan and his impact helped build the Chippewas into one of the top wrestling programs in MAC history.
Cunningham won the 1999 NCAA National Championship at 157 pounds and became Central Michigan's first Division I National Champion. He was a two-time All-American and a three-time MAC individual champion and was named MAC Wrestler of the Year in 1999.
Cunningham was also the MAC Championships Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1999 and MAC Freshman of the Year in 1996. His championship resume includes three Penn State Open titles and two Midlands Championships.
A four-time team MVP, Cunningham set school records with 134 career victories and ended his career with 31 pins. He twice competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic and led Central Michigan to two MAC Team Tournament Titles in 1998 and 1999.
Cunningham was Central Michigan's first three-time Academic All-MAC selection and twice earned first-team NWCA Academic All-American honors.
Cunningham helped the Chippewas finish fifth as a team at the 1998 NCAA National Championships and seventh in 1999.
He had a successful post-collegiate career placing at the 2004 and 2008 USA Olympic Trials. Cunningham also served as an assistant coach for Central Michigan for seven seasons, helping the program win seven MAC Tournament titles.
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Cleveland, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference introduced its 2015 MAC Hall of Fame Class as five new members were inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 27 during the MAC Honor's Dinner at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel.
The five inductees are Casey Cunningham (Central Michigan, wrestling), Bob Parks (Eastern Michigan, men's cross country, men's track and field), Ben Roethlisberger (Miami, football), Gary Pinkel (Toledo/Kent State, football) and George Dales (Western Michigan, men's cross country, men's track and field).
"It is only appropriate for our Conference to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our former student-athletes, coaches and administrators, specifically these five individuals, and their achievements during their time competing in the Mid-American Conference," said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, MAC Commissioner. "We are honored to welcome them to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame."
"The Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame is a testament to the achievements of those that have competed and served in this great Conference," added Steinbrecher.
The MAC Hall of Fame was approved by the MAC Council of Presidents in 1987. The charter class was inducted in 1988 and subsequent classes were added in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. After six induction classes, the MAC Hall of Fame maintained 52 members until it was reinstated in May of 2012. This year's class brings the number of MAC Hall of Fame inductees to 77 individuals from 10 classes.
Casey Cunningham- Central Michigan (wrestling):
Casey Cunningham's achievements on the mat are unmatched at Central Michigan and his impact helped build the Chippewas into one of the top wrestling programs in MAC history.
Cunningham won the 1999 NCAA National Championship at 157 pounds and became Central Michigan's first Division I National Champion. He was a two-time All-American and a three-time MAC individual champion and was named MAC Wrestler of the Year in 1999.
Cunningham was also the MAC Championships Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1999 and MAC Freshman of the Year in 1996. His championship resume includes three Penn State Open titles and two Midlands Championships.
A four-time team MVP, Cunningham set school records with 134 career victories and ended his career with 31 pins. He twice competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic and led Central Michigan to two MAC Team Tournament Titles in 1998 and 1999.
Cunningham was Central Michigan's first three-time Academic All-MAC selection and twice earned first-team NWCA Academic All-American honors.
Cunningham helped the Chippewas finish fifth as a team at the 1998 NCAA National Championships and seventh in 1999.
He had a successful post-collegiate career placing at the 2004 and 2008 USA Olympic Trials. Cunningham also served as an assistant coach for Central Michigan for seven seasons, helping the program win seven MAC Tournament titles.
