Class of 1997

Norman Lovelace

Harper Junior College

Coach

Norm wrestled for Hall of Famers Jim Custer and Jack Stoudt at Pekin High School, and was a two-time state qualifier and also an All-Conference football player. At Western Illinois University, he played football three years as a center and linebacker. As a wrestler, he was a three-time wrestling captain, Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion and Outstanding Wrestler, NAIA District 20 champion and OW, and fifth in the NAIA Championships. An injury cut short an unbeaten senior season. Norm competed for the Mayor Daley Wrestling Club after college, and placed third in the Midlands.

After earning his Master’s degree from Indiana State University, Norm became head coach at Elk Grove High School in 1968, where he remains a member of the faculty, and coached three state placewinners in his four-year coaching stint there. He became head coach at Harper Junior College in 1973 and has won 268 dual meets, making him the winningest coach in Illinois junior college history. He has led Harper to 6 Midwest titles, second place 5 times, and third place 5 times. He has coached 27 junior college All-Americans and four champions. Harper won the non-scholarship division of the JUCO Nationals in 1994, finished second in 1995, and seventh in 1996.

Under Norm's guidance, Harper has hosted the Midlands and the IKWF state championships. He was elected to the National Junior College Hall of Fame in 1996.