Learn about the latest Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2026 Induction Dinner will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Austin, Minn. Inductees will be Matt Clark, Bill Benson, Steve Costanzo, Mike Langlais, Russ Holland, Bruce Moe, Annette and Corey Olson, Paul Vaith, and Jenny Wong.
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Dennis Kipp 1948-2026
Dennis Kipp served as a long-time leader of the Mankato Area Wrestling Club and a high-level official. His contributions to the sport earned him recognition as the Minnesota Mat Official of the Year in both 1990 and 2006. Through his leadership and officiating, Dennis maintained a significant presence in the Mankato area wrestling communities and across Minnesota.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame to Induct 10 new members at the 2026 Minnesota Chapter Banquet on April 25th
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Minnesota Chapter is proud to announce the induction of Jenny Wong as its Outstanding American from Minnesota. Honorees for the Lifetime Service Award are Matt Clark, Bill Benson, Steve Costanzo, Mike Langlais, Russ Holland, Bruce Moe, Annette and Corey Olson, and Paul Vaith.
The Guillotine has a new message board
Visit the new The Guillotine Forum message board at theguillotine.com/the-guillotine-forum to find out why.
Hall of Famer Steve Techam Dies at 80
Steve Techam, a longtime Minnesota wrestling coach who built programs from the ground up and earned induction into two halls of fame, died Sept. 3. He was 80.
Techam founded the wrestling program at Verndale High School in 1969 after being hired to teach junior high social studies. He coached the Pirates until 1980, when the school consolidated with Bertha-Hewitt to form the Raiders program.
The veteran coach continued leading Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale until retiring in 2007, then returned for the 2013-14 season to guide the Raiders to the state tournament. Techam finished his career with a 400-178-8.
Former MN wrestler dies in overseas accident
DUNDAS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Brad Tupa’s family are one week into mourning his loss, but still have no idea when they’ll get to hold his funeral.
“It’s still real difficult, because it is such a slow process,” said his mother, Cheryl Tupa. “You just have more days to think and mourn, and it just doesn’t end.”
Such are the complexities of returning his remains from Indonesia, where Brad had been working.
“Yes, get him home,” said David Tupa, Brad’s father. “I want to properly say goodbye and move on.” Watch/continue reading at fox9.com →
Dave Erickson 1937-2025
Hall of Famer Dave Erickson passed away on June 10, 2025. He was 88 years old. Erickson was a long-time coach at Hayfield High School. He was inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015.
Community mourns beloved Homecoming King killed in pickup crash
Blake Unger was killed in the crash, with an 18-year-old driver arrested for DWI.
The New York Mills community is paying tribute to Blake Unger, the 18-year-old Homecoming King who was tragically killed in a pickup truck crash just days after graduating from high school.
Unger died at the scene following the crash in Otter Tail County on Tuesday evening, with police finding the vehicle in a ditch and Unger outside the vehicle. The 18-year-old driver has been arrested for DWI and criminal vehicular homicide.
Tributes to Unger reveal him to be a decorated wrestler and football player at New York Mills Public School, where his visitation and memorial will be held on Wednesday, June 4. Continue reading at bringmethenews.com →
National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Minnesota Chapter Inducts 10
On Saturday, April 26th, 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.
Charles “Chip” Rankin was the 2025 Outstanding American Inductee. Jeff Becker, Brian Kelvington, Tom Gravalin, Chuck Marks, Heidi Schmitz, Jerry Schmitz, Harlan “Butch” Steen, Dan Stifter, and Mark Voyce were inducted for the Lifetime Service Award.
TakeDown Cancer Week begins February 9th
Launching TakeDown Cancer Week, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers and Purdue Boilermakers will be hosting a TakeDown Cancer event on Sunday, February 9th, at 12 pm at Maturi Pavilion.