National Greco-Roman coach Fraser to be inducted into U of Michigan Hall of Honor on Jan. 28

<< Back to Articles
Univ of Michigan ()
01/25/2006


USA Wrestling's National Greco-Roman Coach and Olympic champion Steve Fraser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will be among 10 sports stars which the University of Michigan athletic department will induct into the Michigan Hall of Honor on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006.

Other inductees in the 19th Hall of Honor ceremony include Mary (Callam) Brandes, field hockey; Melinda (Copp) Harrison, women's swimming; Don Dufek Sr., football; Barry Larkin, baseball; Tom Mack, football, Tim McCormick, men's basketball; Alicia Seegert, softball; Mel Wakabayshi, ice hockey and baseball; and Beth (Wymer) Humbles, women's gymnastics. The inductees will be honored publicly at halftime of the Michigan vs. Wisconsin men's basketball game on Jan. 28 at Crisler Arena.

Steve Fraser's biography at Michigan
As a member of the Wolverine wrestling squad from 1977-1980, Steve Fraser garnered All-American honors two straight years and was a three time All-Big Ten selection. Fraser went on to represent the United States in the 1984 Olympic Games, becoming the first US wrestler to win a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. Fraser continues to work with USA Wrestling, serving as the national team's Greco-Roman coach since 1995 

Steve Fraser's USA Wrestling biography

Steve Fraser joined USA Wrestling as the National Greco-Roman Coach in October 1995. He serves as the full-time professional coach working with the national Greco-Roman wrestling program. Fraser led the U.S. to outstanding performances with three silver medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., three medals (a gold, silver and bronze) at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia and one medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

In 2001, Fraser led the United States delegation to a third place team finish at the Greco-Roman World Championships, the highest team finish in U.S. Greco-Roman history.

Fraser came to USA Wrestling after serving in a number of executive positions with Domino's Pizza for 10 years. His final position with the company was the Senior Operations Director for the Flagship Academy for Domino's Pizza, Inc., where he directed 65 stores, including Domino's Pizza's most elite corporate stores.

Fraser won a gold medal at 90 kg at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the first U.S. wrestler to ever win an Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman. He also won a gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games. Fraser was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1994.  He attended the Univ. of Michigan, where he was a two-time NCAA All-American and received a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1980. He  was an assistant coach at the Univ. of Michigan from 1980-87, and at Eastern Michigan Univ. from 1987-1993. He has also coached with the Michigan Wrestling Club for 10 years

"The Michigan athletic tradition is something we are all proud of. These 10 student-athletes have succeeded in not only continuing our great tradition, but help making it grow." said Bill Martin, U-M director of intercollegiate athletics.

The University of Michigan Hall of Honor was established in 1978 to recognize those persons who have made significant contributions as athletes, coaches, and administrators to upholding the tradition of Wolverine athletics as well as enhancing the image and reputation of the University of Michigan.

The Letterwinners "M" Club will again join the Athletic Department in honoring and sponsoring the inductees. "The Letterwinners 'M' Club is proud to continue to co-host the Hall of Honor inductions with the Athletic Department," said Bill Mogk, president of the Letterwinners "M" Club and a 2002 inductee into the Hall of Honor. "Congratulations to the honorees. They will be joining the 158 persons previously inducted into the Hall. The selection committee certainly did an excellent job of recommending outstanding athletes who are so deserving of this honor."

Other inductees:

Mary (Callam) Brandes
A Bloomfield Hills native, Mary Callam was the first superstar on Michigan's field hockey team. Her senior season in 1979, she set a record for most goals scored with 27. She currently is second in career goals, holding the record from 1979 until 2003. Callam was inducted in to the M-Women Academic Hall of Fame.

Melinda (Copp) Harrison
A four-time Big Ten champion and six-time all-American, Melinda Copp went on to become Michigan's first women's varsity swimmer to compete in the Olympics. A two-time captain while at Michigan, Copp held several Michigan and Big Ten records but was unable to swim in her senior season due to injuries.

Don Dufek Sr.
The first of the Dufek family to play for Michigan, Don Dufek was a star fullback for the Wolverines from 1948-50. Over his gridiron career, Dufek rushed for 1,094 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his final college game, he scored two touchdowns in the 1951 Rose Bowl to give the Wolverines a 14-7 victory over California. Dufek later served as athletic director at Grand Valley Staten and Kent State Universities.

Barry Larkin
Barry Larkin played baseball for the Wolverines from 1983-1985 becoming the first two-time Player of the Year in Big Ten Conference history. For his Michigan career, he hit .361, while being recognized as a two-time All-American, Big Ten Tournament MVP (1983), Team MVP in 1985, and playing in two College World Series (1983 & 1984). Larkin also played on two Big Ten Champions and was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team 
After his junior season, he was drafted fourth overall by his hometown Cincinnati Reds and went on to enjoy a 19 year career with his hometown club. A career .295 hitter, Larkin was named to 12 all-star teams, National League MVP in 1995 and won a World Series in 1990. Larkin now works for the Washington Nationals as an assistant to the General Manager.

Tom Mack
A two-way player during his Michigan career, Tom Mack was a two-year letterman for the football team during the 1964 and 1965 seasons. Mack was recognized with the team's Meyer Morton Award in 1964 as the Wolverine's most improved player during spring drills. Mack was a key member of the 1964 Big Ten Champion team and was central to Michigan gaining 332 yards against Oregon State in a 34-7 Rose Bowl victory. A first round selection of the Los Angeles Rams in 1966, Mack went on to a 13 year career in the NFL with the Rams playing in 184 straight games. Mack was named to 11 Pro Bowls and was inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Tim McCormick
A 6'11" center from Clarkston, Tim McCormick led Michigan to their first NIT title and was named the MVP of the tournament during his senior season in 1984. McCormick led the team in FG%, free throw % and rebounding his Junior year after missing the previous year with a knee injury. During his senior season McCormick was recognized 3rd Team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten. After college, the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted McCormick with the 12th pick of the first round. He spent a total of 8 seasons in the NBA with 6 teams averaging 8.5 points per game. McCormick now spends his time working for the NBA Players Association and broadcasting college basketball games for ESPN.

Alicia Seegert
A standout behind the plate, Alicia Seegert was the first Wolverine softball player to receive an All-American honor. A career .360 hitter, Seegert was named All-American in 1986 and a second team All-American in 1987. A four-year all-conference selection, Seegert was named Michigan's Female Athlete of the Year in 1987.

Mel Wakabayashi
A native of Chatham, Ontario, Mel Wakabayashi had a stellar career at Michigan on the ice. Wakabayashi netted two goals in the 1964 title game as the Wolverines defeated Denver 6-3. After leading the team in scoring and being named team MVP his junior year, Wakabayashi again led the team and the WCHA in scoring his senior year and was also named league MVP and all-American. In 2002, Wakabayashi was named one of the 50 best players in WCHA history by the league. Wakabayashi also played baseball for the Wolverines and was named All Big Ten playing second base in 1964. Following his career at Michigan, Wakabayashi became a pioneer in the development of Japanese hockey and was the head coach of the Japanese National team in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.

Beth (Wymer) Humbles
A four-year letterwinner, Beth Wymer was Michigan's first women's gymnast to win an individual national championship when she finished first in the nation on the uneven bars in 1993. Wymer went on to win two more national titles on bars and earn 13 All-America honors in her collegiate career. Wymer was a part of four Big Ten Championship teams, winning three Big Ten Gymnast of the Year awards, and helped the Wolverines tie for second place at NCAAs in 1995. As a senior, Wymer earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor, Michigan Female Athlete of the Year award and also earned her first Academic All-America accolades.