Upper Iowa University Athletics

Olson is being inducted into the Upper Iowa University Athletics Hall of Fame as a coach, having been a professor and coach at Upper Iowa University from 1966 to 1971. Olson had an outstanding five years as head wrestling coach leading the Peacocks' dominant team to four-consecutive Iowa Conference titles in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971. His wrestling team qualified each year for the NAIA National Tournament. The 1971 team won the District 15 Championship that finished fourth in the nation, and finished fifth at the 1969 National NAIA tournament. The 1968 team participated in the NCAA Division II tournament, finishing eighth (tied with UNI).

Olson was named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year four times while at Upper Iowa with a total of 21 conference or district honors. While at Upper Iowa he coached four national champions including Steve Exline, twice, Dave Sanger, and Craig Campbell; all of whom are Hall of Fame members themselves. Olson was inducted into the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984 and Jamestown College Hall of Fame in 2000. He participated in cultural exchanges in wrestling taking teams to Japan, Korea, the Peoples Republic of China, and England.

Olson retired after a 41-year career with a 428-96 dual meet record. During his tenure he produced 61 All- Americans and 8 National Championships at six collegiate institutions including Upper Iowa University. He also was the head football coach for the Peacocks for three years. A graduate of Washburn High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he earned a B.S. degree in 1959 from Coe College and a M.S.E. in 1964 from Wayne State College. Mike and wife Barbara live in Monmouth, Illinois, are the parents of Debbie, Jim, Mike, and Lorrie.