Rometo George “Rummy” Macias

October 17, 1922 – May 27, 2024

Many times, the word “legend” is thrown about far too easily but to refer to Rometo “Rummy” Macias as a coaching legend would be a gross understatement. A Minnesota sportswriter called Macias “The Vince Lombardi of Minnesota Wrestling.”

Rummy distinguished himself during his 38 years at Minnesota State University at Mankato with a long list of awards and titles. His college dual meet record is 317-185 while going against the top wrestling college in the nation.

While coaching at Minnesota State University, Macias coached 19 individual national champions, 92 All-Americans, 2 NAIA championship teams, one NCAA college championship team while other teams placed 7-8-9-10-11 in Division I championships.

Other accomplishments include having the new wrestling facility at the Taylor Sports Center at Minnesota State University named the “Rummy Macias Wrestling Complex” on October 13, 2001. Rummy also coached 145 wrestlers who went on to become head coaches in Minnesota High Schools.

As a competitor, Macias placed third in the state tournament in 1940 at 105 pounds, and after serving during World War II, he went to the University of Iowa where he was a two-time Big Ten champion. He placed third in the National AAU in 1945 and 1946 while placing third at 125.5 pounds in the NCAA tournament in 1948.

So devoted to his sport Rummy came out of retirement after moving to Florida where he, at age 78, was coaching Newman High School wrestlers while still getting down on the mat and working on technique. The Florida wrestlers he coached also readily admitted that none would wrestle with the legend because none of them had the nerve to try. He also continued officiating in Florida at 78.

Rummy was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame 2004 with Dr. Norman Borlaug and was introduced at the ceremonies by Jack Eustice.

High School

CoachJohn Johnson

Record40-0

• 3rd at 105 pounds 1940

College

CoachMike Howard

Record25-0

• 1944 First freshman to win Big Ten Conference Wrestling Championship
• 1944, 1945 Big Ten Champion, 128-pounds
• 1944, 1945, 1948 Three time All-American
• 1944 3rd in National AAU
• 1945 3rd in National AAU
• 1946 3rd in National AAU
• 1946 3rd in Big Ten Championship
• 1948 NCAA runner-up 128-pounds

Undefeated in dual meets during entire collegiate career; and inducted into fourteen Wrestling Hall of Fames as competitor and coach.

Coaching

Considered by many as the “Grandfather of Minnesota Wrestling,” Rummy had the new wrestling complex at the Glen Taylor Sports Complex named in his honor.
2003 Lifetime Service to Wrestling award