Mike Exline, class of 1973, is being inducted into the Upper Iowa University Hall of Fame in the officials category. He was a four-year letter winner in football, starting every game except one from 1969-1972. He earned Second Team All-Conference honors as an offensive lineman in 1972. Exline also lettered three years as a Peacock wrestler (1969-1971), and was a member of three Iowa Conference Championship wrestling teams.
Exline earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Physical Education. He was employed in the teaching-coaching profession at Jesup Community Schools from 1974 to 1980. Since 1982, he has been a very successful New York Life Agent and Manager, located in Charles City.
Since 1975, Exline has had an exemplary career as a wrestling official on the interscholastic and intercollegiate levels. He has officiated at the state and national levels. Exline was honored in 1999 by being inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame and being named the Official of the Year by the National Federation Interscholastic Officials Association. Major highlights of his career include officiating the NCAA Division I Nationals for eight years and working the Division II and III Nationals four times. Exline has also officiated the prestigious Midland Tournament since 1985, the Big Ten and Big 12 Tournaments, the Iowa-Iowa State duals and the NAIA National Wrestling Championships four times.
A 1969 graduate of Charles City High School, he was an outstanding all-conference Northeast Iowa athlete in football, wrestling and baseball. Exline resides in Charles City and has two sons, Ben and Zach.
