Bill Hinchley dedicated over four decades to the sport of wrestling, making significant contributions as an official, administrator, and leader. He served as President of the Owatonna Wrestling Association and spent 30 years as the CEO for Minnesota USA Wrestling. A dedicated mat official for over 40 years, Hinchley was widely recognized for his officiating excellence, receiving the US Wrestling Officials Association Lifetime Achievement Award and being named USA Wrestling Official of the Year in 2007. He was inducted into the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015 .
Community
Bob Board 1935-2026
Hall of Famer Bob Board passed away on September 5, 2026. He was 90 years old. Board was a long-time coach at Coon Rapids High School, a University of Minnesota wrestler, and a state champion for Anoka High School. He was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008.
J Robinson Celebration of Life set for Saturday, July 18
For those wishing to pay their respects and celebrate J’s incredible journey, a Visitation, Service, and Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026. All events are open to the public, and the family welcomes anyone whose life was touched by Coach Robinson.
Honoring a Legend: Tribute Shirts for Iconic Gopher Wrestling Coach J Robinson
The wrestling community lost a giant on March 29 when legendary University of Minnesota wrestling coach J Robinson passed away at the age of 79. Known for his intense discipline, profound life lessons, and unwavering commitment to his athletes, Robinson’s impact stretches far beyond the mat.
To honor his legacy, wrestling apparel brand Rudis, reached out to J’s wife, Sue Rubens, with a vision to create something meaningful. Together, Sue and the Rudis team designed three limited-edition tribute shirts that capture the essence of J’s values, teachings, and lifelong dedication to the sport.
A portion of every t-shirt sale will go directly to J’s Walk To End Alzheimer’s Fundraising effort.
J Paul Robinson Obituary
by Sue Rubens, widow of J Robinson
Loretto – J Paul Robinson, 79, of Plymouth, MN was embraced by angels and welcomed to heaven on March 29, 2026 while visiting his childhood home in Spring Valley, CA. Born on July 7, 1946 in San Diego, CA to John and Margaret Robinson, J was the 3rd of the 4 Robinson brothers.
J’s pain tolerance was legendary; the fabled number of surgeries he endured, insane; the amount of time spent on crutches – unknown! A body that J forced to function for decades by stubbornly imposing his sheer will, gave out unexpectantly due to complications from his digestive system. J passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends with his favorite songs playing, countless stories being told and by the grace of God easing his pain.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter Inducts 10 in 2026
On Saturday, April 25th, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter, held its annual Honors Banquet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Austin, Minn. The banquet room was packed, and many former Hall of Fame inductees attended.
Jenny Wong was the 2026 Outstanding American Inductee. Matt Clark, Bill Benson, Steve Costanzo, Mike Langlais, Russ Holland, Bruce Moe, Annette and Corey Olson, and Paul Vaith were inducted for the Lifetime Service Award.
Gophers Mourn the Passing of J Robinson
MINNEAPOLIS – Former University of Minnesota wrestling head coach J Robinson passed away Sunday, March 29. He was 79 years old.
Robinson led the Gophers for 30 seasons from the 1985-86 campaign through the 2015-16 season. He developed an environment of excellence over those three decades that saw Minnesota rise to elite status in college wrestling. His teams claimed three national championships, while the three-time National Coach of the Year developed 65 All-Americans, 14 individual National Champions, six Big Ten team titles and 31 different Big Ten champions accounting for 49 individual titles.
All told, Robinson’s wrestlers amassed a total of 126 All-America honors, including a NCAA-record 10 All-Americans during the National Championship run in 2001. His .753 winning percentage and 440 dual meet victories are both program records.
Longtime Gophers wrestling coach J Robinson dead at 79
Robinson guided the Gophers to three national championships over his 30 seasons leading the program.
J Robinson, the wrestling coach who guided the Gophers to three NCAA team championships over 30 seasons, leading the program, has died at age 79.
The Gophers wrestling program announced Robinson’s death on social media Sunday, March 29, but did not provide further details.
Robinson coached the Gophers from 1986 to 2016, winning NCAA championships in 2001, ’02 and ’07 and coaching 14 individual national champions. Under Robinson, the Gophers also won six Big Ten team titles, and he was named Big Ten Coach of the Year eight times. Continue reading at startribune.com →
Former Minnesota wrestler killed in mass shooting at Texas bar
A 30-year-old former Minnesota high school wrestler and aspiring professional mixed martial artist was among three people killed in a mass shooting outside an Austin bar, authorities and family members said.
Jorge Pederson died Monday after being taken off life support, one day after a gunman opened fire near Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in the city’s Sixth Street entertainment district. Pederson had moved from Minnesota to Texas just weeks earlier to begin a new career in marketing.
From Heavyweight to Lightweight: The Remarkable Journey of Dave Frame
By Bill Schmidt
David Frame, son of William and Minnie Frame, was born and raised on a dairy farm just outside of Northfield along will older brother Bill, sister Mary Ellen, and younger brother Mike. When Dave was in 6th grade, his brother Bill was a manager-wrestler for the Northfield wrestling team. Two other wrestlers on the team also had sixth-grade brothers, so they asked the coaches if those three sixth graders could practice and wrestle in home meets.
At the time, Dave had no idea how much this opportunity would change his life.