DECATUR, Ill. – When the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) , the group included alumnus Mike Surak ’70 as one of six individuals whose careers as athletes, coaches, officials, and contributors have left a lasting impact on Division III wrestling.
A Class of 1970 Big Blue alumnus, Surak's involvement in wrestling began as an eighth-grader in Buchanan, New York, and ultimately shaped both his athletic and professional life.
After wrestling for and graduating from Millikin, Surak went on to found a highly successful real estate development company, completing over 70 projects during his career.
A lifelong supporter of Millikin wrestling, Surak credits the sport with profoundly influencing his personal and professional success and has remained committed to providing today's student-athletes with the same opportunities that wrestling afforded him.
Since bringing back the Big Blue Wrestling program in 2015, has guided the men's program to top-two finishes in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) for eight seasons in a row, including three straight CCIW Championships in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Through the years, the program has benefited from Surak's tremendous support.
“Mike started as a donor for Millikin Wrestling and became a father figure for me,” Birt said. “He and I speak often and much more about life than always wrestling. We would not be anywhere close to the program we are today, and most importantly, the programs we will be in the future, without him.”
During the 2026-27 season, Millikin will .
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be formally inducted during the NWCA Hall of Fame Ceremony before the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 12.
Along with Surak, the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Hall of Fame inductees are Alan Boucher (Official), Mike Howard (Oswego State - Coach), John Oostendorp (Coe College - Coach), Clayton Rush (Coe College - Wrestler), and Nick Slack (Augsburg University - Wrestler).
About the NWCA Hall of Fame
The NWCA Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the sport of wrestling through competitive achievement, coaching excellence, officiating, leadership, and service. The Division III Men's category specifically recognizes those who have elevated collegiate wrestling within the NCAA Division III landscape.
The 2026 NWCA Hall of Fame Ceremony will take place in the Grand Ballroom at the Cedar Rapids Convention Center on Thursday, March 12. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championships.
