Wrestling official Mike Allen stopped by the office Thursday and told me he’s decided to hang up his officiating whistle.

He is the second highly-respected official from Waterloo to retire from officiating in recent years. Chuck Yagla retired two years ago.

Allen, who began officiating wrestling part-time in 1976 while still in college at Ellsworth College, officiated fulltime for 35 years. During that span, he officiated 23 NCAA Division I tournaments, 12 Division II, six Division III, four NAIA, three Junior College, 13 Big Ten and 11 Pac-10 championships.

“It was time,” Allen said. “I had a great run. I’m going to get to see what a Saturday is finally like. I’m still going to be involved, hopefully as a mentor to other officials.

“I’m going to San Antonio and Houston in December to give clinics to wrestling officials. I’m going to be the second head official, nothing on the mat, at the National Duals in January.”

Allen, 59, said he wanted to retire in 2007 when Yagla stepped away, but he was inducted into the National Hall of Fame that season and felt he still had some years left.

What finally convinced him to step aside was his 5-year old granddaughter Anishia, who started kindergarten at Price Lab this fall.

“I dropped her off at school one day and it was great,” Allen said. “When I went away for tournaments she was always asking me where I was going, if she could come with and when I’d be back. She didn’t like me leaving, so now, it’s time for me to live, be with my family.

“I’m looking forward to doing just that, spending time with my family.”

Filed under: Wrestling
1 Comment

The guy who created several of the best movies I’ve ever seen died today, so I’m a little sad.

RIP John Hughes

We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”  – Breakfast Club

The question isn’t “what are we going to do,” the question is “what aren’t we going to do?”  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

On a lighter note, had a great day at the Wartburg Booster Club Golf Outing. My good buddy Mark Adkins invited me up to play at Centennial Oaks in Waverly — what a great golf course. I hit a few good shots and had a great time overall. Thanks again Mark.

Football season is approaching fast with Iowa media day today … but I’m leaving for Disney World with my family Friday night, so College football will have to take a backseat to my kids Alexis and Talan who are really looking forward to meeting Cinderella and Mickey Mouse.

Filed under: Uncategorized
No Comments