Rometo George “Rummy” Macias

October 17, 1922 – May 27, 2024

Many times, the word “legend” is used too casually, but to call Rometo “Rummy” Macias a wrestling legend may actually understate his impact. Once dubbed “the Vince Lombardi of Minnesota wrestling” by a sportswriter, Macias built one of the most enduring legacies in American collegiate wrestling. Born in Davenport, Iowa, he placed third in the 1940 Iowa high school state tournament at 105 pounds before serving in World War II. After the war, he wrestled at the University of Iowa, where he became a four-time All-American and a two-time Big Ten Conference champion. He also placed third in the NCAA Championships in 1948 at 128 pounds and earned bronze twice in the National AAU Championships.

In 1950, Macias was hired to start the wrestling program at Mankato State Teachers College (now Minnesota State University, Mankato). Over a remarkable 38-year coaching career, he compiled a dual meet record of 299–207–12 and led the program to national prominence. Under his leadership, Minnesota State produced 19 individual national champions, 93 All-Americans, two NAIA national championship teams (1958 and 1959), and one NCAA College Division national title (1965). His teams also placed as high as seventh through eleventh in the NCAA Division I Championships.

Beyond his coaching accomplishments, Macias served as president of the NAIA, NCAA College Division, and National Wrestling Coaches Association, and authored two instructional books on wrestling. Perhaps even more impressive than his team’s accolades is the legacy he left through mentorship. A staggering 145 of his former athletes went on to become head wrestling coaches at high schools across Minnesota and other states.

His remarkable career was recognized with induction into 11 halls of fame, including the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame (2006), the Minnesota State Hall of Fame (1982), and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award, 2003). In 2001, Minnesota State honored him by naming its wrestling facility the “Rummy Macias Wrestling Complex.”

Even after retiring to Florida, Rummy remained dedicated to the sport. At age 78, he was coaching at Cardinal Newman High School, still getting on the mat to demonstrate technique—though his wrestlers admitted none of them had the nerve to spar with the legend. He also continued officiating matches well into his late seventies and maintained a near-unbroken streak of attending the NCAA Division I Championships for over 60 years, a streak only halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2004, Rummy Macias was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame alongside Dr. Norman Borlaug, introduced at the ceremony by Jack Eustice. His influence on the sport—as a competitor, coach, teacher, and ambassador—spanned more than seven decades. Macias’s legacy lives on not only through his record but in the lives of the countless athletes and coaches he inspired.

High School

Davenport High School

CoachJohn Johnson

Record40-0

• 1940 105-pound State 3rd Place

College

University of Iowa

CoachMike Howard

Record25-0

• 1948 128-pound NCAA Runner-up
• Three-time NCAA All-American
• Two-time Big Ten Conference Champion
• 1944 National AAU 3rd Place
• 1945 National AAU 3rd Place
• 1946 National AAU 3rd Place
• First Freshman to Win Big Ten Title

Coaching

Record299-207-12

Mankato State University – Head Coach (1950-1988) 

• 1958 NAIA Team National Title
• 1959 NAIA Team National Title
• 1965 NCAA College Division Team Title
• Multiple Top 12 D-I Finishes
• 19 Individual NCAA Champions
• 92 Individual NCAA All-Americans
• 8 Northern Intercollegiate Titles
• 1 North Central Conference Title
• Coached 145 Future High School Head Coaches

Administration

• Only coach to serve as President of NAIA, NCAA College Division, and National Wrestling Coaches Association.
• Author of two wrestling books
• Hosted seven Minnesota State High School Wrestling Championship Tournaments