Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is pleased to announce the Division III Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Seven distinguished individuals have been selected for induction into the Hall of Fame, in recognition of their significant contributions to the sport of wrestling.
The honorees will be officially inducted at the annual banquet to be held in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL on Friday, July 26, 2024, during the NWCA's Annual Convention. The Class of 2024 includes Rick Cole, Nazar Kulchytskyy, Dave Malecek, Lucas Malmberg, Dave Miller, Rick Stahl, and Byron Tate.
Rick Cole is posthumously honored as an exceptional wrestling official after leaving an indelible mark on the sport's landscape. Rick blazed trails as the first Campbell wrestler to qualify for the National Championships. A District 29 champion in his junior and senior years, he clinched Most Outstanding Wrestler at both tournaments, amassing a career record of 52-4, setting a standard for those who followed.
In 1971, Rick's collegiate journey culminated with the honor of Campbell's Outstanding Athlete and a feature in the 1972 edition of Outstanding Athletes of America. Rick then transitioned from athlete to coach and official. His journey took him across the country, from coaching stints at various schools to settling in Ocean City, Maryland.
For five decades, Rick dedicated himself to officiating, serving as a trainer and assignor of officials, and overseeing 29 Collegiate National Championships (Division I and III), 30 NCAA qualifying tournaments, and many prominent regional and national-level tournaments. Rick Cole's legacy as an official mirrors his excellence on the mat, embodying the spirit of wrestling.
Nazar Kulchytskyy a wrestling sensation from Ukraine, etched his name in the annals of Division III wrestling during his tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. As a five-time Ukrainian National Champion in Freestyle wrestling and a recipient of the Bronze Medal at the European Championships, Nazar's journey to excellence began early.
Arriving in the United States in 2009, Nazar continued to showcase his exceptional talent on the mat. At UW-Oshkosh, he amassed a remarkable 143-5 career record, securing his status as a three-time NCAA National Champion and a two-time NCAA Wrestler of the Year. His accolades include the 2014 Outstanding Wrestler Award at the NCAA Championships, the NCAA Most Season Falls Award, and a prestigious Academic All-American award.
Following his collegiate career, Nazar embarked on a successful professional wrestling journey, representing the Senior World Team and contributing to the 2018 World Cup Champion Team. Upon retiring in 2020, he founded the Team Nazar Training Center, where he continues to nurture the next generation of wrestlers.
Nazar married his wife, Katie, in 2021. He is the son of Arkadiy (Arkadi) and Halyna (Halina).
Dave Malecek the esteemed head wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, embodies excellence and leadership in collegiate wrestling. Completing his 18th season in 2023-24, Malecek has steered the Eagles to remarkable achievements, securing top-four finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships in eight seasons, including two second-place finishes in 2008 and 2010, third-place trophies in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2024, and fouth-place in 2012 and 2013.
Under Malecek's guidance, UWL's wrestling program has flourished, producing 68 All-Americans and 13 NCAA Division III champions. In 2024, seven wrestlers qualified for the championships, with five earning All-America honors, including Nolan Hertel, who secured his second consecutive national title at 157 pounds.
Malecek's coaching prowess has garnered widespread recognition, earning him accolades such as the NWCA Division III Coach of the Year and multiple WIAC Coach of the Year awards. With an impressive record of 233-54-1 in overall duals, Malecek's impact extends beyond the mat, fostering academic excellence and leadership among his athletes.
With a storied career that includes a stop as the head assistant at Wartburg College, following a distinguished career at Northern Iowa, where he was a four-time National Qualifier and All-American, Dave Malecek stands as a beacon of success in collegiate wrestling while continuing to build on his incredible legacy at UW-La Crosse.
Lucas Malmberg is a Messiah University wrestling legend, having achieved unprecedented success during his career. He was a four-time NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA champion. During his senior year, he was the only Division III wrestler to podium at the prestigious Midlands Tournament, finishing sixth. Malmberg holds the program records for career wins, career takedowns, and single-season takedowns, and he is second in program history for career win percentage and career nearfalls. He also earned NWCA Scholar All-American honors three times and graduated with both a B.A in Christian Ministries and a Master's degree in Counseling from Messiah University.
Dave Miller is a distinguished figure in support of Wabash College, is a beacon of dedication and service. Since 2018, he has steered the Wabash Wrestling Mentorship Program, fostering connections between alums and Wabash freshman wrestlers. Through his guidance, countless young talents have found pathways to success, securing internships and job placements.
At the helm of the Wabash Wrestling Day of Giving, Miller orchestrates a symphony of generosity, rallying alums to support the program. His efforts have yielded significant financial backing, enriching the wrestling experience for generations to come.
Beyond wrestling, Miller's impact resonates across campus. His creation of the David W. Miller Scholarship at IU McKinney Law underscores his commitment to nurturing Wabash graduates' academic and professional growth. This esteemed scholarship, awarded to outstanding J.D. candidates, celebrates individuals who have exhibited exceptional development during their undergraduate years.
David Miller's enduring contributions epitomize the spirit of Wabash College, embodying its ethos of excellence and service. His legacy as a transformative force in both athletics and academia cements his place in the hallowed halls of Wabash College.
Rick Stahl is an outstanding official from Iowa. During his illustrious career, Rick officiated 32 NCAA National Wrestling Championships, including 23 Division III Championships and Finals. Others include seven Division I and two Division II championships.
Rick wrestled and was a Division III National Qualifier for Central College in Pella, Iowa.
"Division III Wrestling has been a huge part of my life for over 35 years. I love that academics come first and that wrestlers compete because they truly love the sport. I knew as an official that being an All-American or National Champion was just as important to these student-athletes as it was to a wrestler at Division II or I." He also stated, "I am humbled to be selected, along with Rick Cole, as the first Meritorious Officials inducted into the Division III Hall of Fame. I am honored and proud to share this accolade with my good friend Rick Cole, whom we miss dearly.
Rick and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Marion, Iowa. They are the proud parents of daughters Amanda and Madison and are excited for the arrival of their first grandchild.
Byron Tate left an impressive legacy at Wartburg College, where he had an outstanding career record of 141-14. He notched 44 falls, 22 major decisions, and four tech falls.
The Wartburg legend ranks third in career wins, seventh in major decisions, and fifth in falls. Tate's three consecutive National Championships (2010-2012) at 197 lbs. make him a three-time All-American.
Playing a pivotal role in Wartburg's wrestling dominance, Tate helped snag back-to-back NCAA Championship titles in 2011 and 2012. His stellar performance in 2012 earned him the coveted title of D3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Year.
In the Iowa Conference, Tate was king, clinching three straight championships and snagging the 2011 IIAC MVP title. Wartburg's four consecutive conference titles during his time is a testament to his leadership.
Tate's skills weren't limited to Division III. He showed his mettle with a runner-up finish at the Midlands Championships in 2010 and got a coveted invite to the Division I All-Star Dual in 2011. Bryon Tate's remarkable journey and achievements have left an indelible mark on Wartburg College's wrestling legacy.
Division III Hall of Fame Banquet Info
Date: Friday, July 26
Location: Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa
Tickets: https://www.nwcaconvention.com/shop/product/270064
Lodging: https://book.passkey.com/gt/219561379?gtid=16b62a254a4525e0ac8ff2217a94d917
