Leo Kocher
Coach
Leo Kocher has developed a nationally-competitive wrestling program during his 21-year tenure a1 University of Chicago. During his career, Kocher coached 19 All-Americans, including a pair of Division III champions. He has also guided Cl to four top-15 team finishes at the NCAA III Championships as well as seven UAA team title.
Prior to his arrival at Chicago, Kocher served 1 year stint as assistant coach at Northwestern University. Kocher began his coaching career assistant coach at Northern Illinois University
In addition to his coaching experience, Kocher has been actively involved in co wrestling as a member of the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee. From 1990-9 was a member of this 12-person committee which oversaw the rules of wrestling the conduct of NCAA Wrestling Championships in Divisions I, II, and III.
Kocher enjoyed an outstanding competitive wrestling career. He competed at Northwestern University where he co-captained the team his senior year. He w two-time runner-up in the 158-pound weight class at the Midlands Tournament, was a first alternate at 163 pounds for the U.S. World University Games Freest) Team.
After his college career, Kocher earned distinction in national and international competition, winning the Montreal Open in 1974 and capturing second place in 1974 U.S. Freestyle National Open. His other career highlights include a third-1 finish at the 1973 U.S. Greco Roman National Open and a fourth-place effort a1 1976 AAU Freestyle National Open.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Northwestern, Kocher went on to receive a master’s degree in education from NU. In 1987, he earned an MBA from Chicago’s nationally-recognized Graduate School of Business