Malecek to coach at All-Star Classic – UW-Lax release

Malecek Selected Honorary Coach for NWCA Classic

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 17, 2008

La Crosse, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head wrestling coach Dave Malecek has been selected as one of four honorary coaches for the 43rd Annual National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic Presented by the United States Marine Corps. The classic is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2008, in St. John Arena at The Ohio State University in Columbus. This is the fifth year the United States Marine Corps has partnered with the NWCA as the presenting sponsor of the event.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to coach at the all star meet,” says Malecek. “I am honored to represent Division III and there is going to be some great matches.”

The event features the top ranked National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I wrestlers facing each other. Student-athletes from Cornell, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin, and will compete.

Other honorary coaches at this year’s event include Tom Ryan (Ohio State), Mark Manning (Nebraska) and Jim Makovsky (Minnesota State, Mankato).

ESPNU will be airing the event on tape delay. Dates and times will be announced when they become available.

Malecek his in his third season as UW-La Crosse’s head wrestling coach. He has led the Eagles to back-to-back top-three finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships, placing third in 2007 and second in 2008. For his efforts, Malecek was named the 2007 NCAA Rookie Coach of the Year.

Malecek has also guided UW-L to two straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles and has been selected the Mertz Mortorelli WIAC Coach of the Year both seasons. The Eagles, who are 34-3 in duals under Malecek, have won 11 consecutive conference crowns.

UW-L returns to action Wednesday, November 19 hosting North Iowa Area Community College at 7 p.m.