Lock Haven Adds Mike Rogers To Coaching Staff
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Danielle Barney (Lock Haven Sports Information)
07/10/2002
Lock Haven, Pa. - The Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Department of Athletics has announced that Mike Rogers (Lock Haven University, '97) will join Bald Eagle first year head coach Rocky Bonomo on the wrestling staff as an assistant coach. Rogers, a former two-time All-American grappler for the Bald Eagles, returns to his alma mater after three years as a special education teacher and the head wrestling coach at Central Mountain High School (Mill Hall, Pa.). "We are really happy to have Mike returning to Lock Haven," said Director of Athletics Sharon E. Taylor. "He had a remarkable career here as a wrestler and has done well in the high school coaching realm. It could go without saying that he will be a welcome addition to the wrestling staff." "I'm looking forward to working with Mike," said Lock Haven head wrestling coach Rocky Bonomo. "He's a very good fit for our program. Not only is he an alum of Lock Haven University and of the wrestling program, but it is great to have someone as talented a wrestler and a coach as Mike on board." Rogers competed at Lock Haven from 1994 through 1997, capturing NCAA Division I All-America honors in his final two seasons (1996, 1997) after finishing sixth at 150 pounds on both occasions. He was a three-time national qualifier and the 1996 Gorrarian Award winner at the national championships, recording the most pins in the least amount of time. Rogers, a two-time Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) champion, is also one of six Bald Eagles and one of 11 wrestlers in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to earn four conference crowns. He is among 13 former LHU grapplers to have reached the 100-wins plateau, wrapping up a standout career with a 112-28-0 ledger. A native of Fort Myers, Fla., Rogers earned his bachelors' degree in Special Education from Lock Haven University in 1997. Following graduation, he coached at the high school level in Ohio before returning to Bald Eagle-Nittany High School for one season. From 1999 through 2002, he spent three seasons as the head coach of the Central Mountain High School Wildcats, accruing a 29-16 overall ledger. He was named the District 6 AAA Coach of the Year in 2001, and this past season led the Wildcats to a third-place finish at the district tournament and a fifth-place finish at the Northwest Regional Tournament.