Ken Kraft
Coach/Contributor ⋅ Class of 1973
Northwestern University
Ken is from Sterling, Illinois High School and Northwestern University.
As a high school wrestler, Ken was a State place winner. As a College Wrestler, Ken was a Big 10 Champion in 1957.
After graduation from Northwestern University, Ken took over the head coaching job, where he became the youngest college coach at that time. He immediately established another distinction that has not been equaled. He coached his brother Art to a National Championship.
While at Northwestern University, Ken has produced numerous Big 10 place winners and Champions a number of National Collegiate place winners and Two National Champions. His brother Art and just recently Mark Massery.
Ken has made some of his greatest contributions to wrestling as a contributor. He has been on the National Rules Committees of various types for a number of years. He has been a well-known commentator on Wide World of Sports, which has covered the Nationals for a number of years and for both the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. Closer to Home, Ken has sponsored the Northwestern Clinic, Co-sponsored the Midlands since its inception and now hosts that event. He has also hosted the State High School Tournament series and numerous Federation Events. For his work at the National Level, Ken was inducted into the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame.
Recently Ken has been elected President of the US National Wrestling Federation, during this time the National Federation Hall of Fame was opened.
Grand Marshall 1982
Midlands Hall of Fame 1992
Resigned as coach in 1979 to become the associate Athletic Director at Northwestern