Mike Davies was the captain of the 1988 NCAA championship team. He was the lone finalist, placing second.

Listen to Davies' interview with Scott Casber below



Excerpt from Bobby Douglas: Life and Legacy of an American Wrestling Legend
Arizona State’s Mike Davies was named team captain his junior season in 1987, but was struggling. He had lost 7 of 10 matches when the team returned home in January from the Virginia Duals.

After the team arrived back home, Douglas called Davies.

The conversation became heated – so heated that Davies said something he still regrets.

“The pressure got to me and I was wrestling terrible. It was the lowest point in my career,” Davies said. “We got into a shouting match on the phone. I was really, really mad and I called him a nigger.”

Douglas yelled back at Davies.

“You’re supposed to be our captain,” Douglas said. “You’re supposed to be our leader.”

“Well, I quit,” Davies said as he slammed down the phone and hung up on Douglas.

Forty-five minutes later, Douglas showed up at Davies’ door.

“C’mon, let’s go sit in my car and talk,” Douglas said.

“No, get out of here,” Davies fired back. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

As Douglas turned and started walking to his car, Davies had second thoughts. He followed Douglas into his vehicle.

“I can help you get your season turned around,” Douglas said calmly as they sat in the car. “Do you have faith in me?”

A few seconds of silence followed.

“Yes, I do have faith in you,” Davies said as he broke down and started crying. “I’m sorry for what I said.”

“Mike, don’t worry about it,” Douglas responded. “I know that wasn’t you.”

Davies walked into the wrestling room the next day, and his fortunes immediately started to change.

“Coach Douglas became a father figure to me at that point,” Davies said. “I knew he cared about me as a person and I knew he wanted to help me on and off the mat. That was a huge turning point in my career.”

Davies would lose just four matches in his final year and a half at Arizona State. He led Arizona State to the 1988 NCAA title.

http://www.bobbydouglasbook.com