By By JEFF FISHER / Niles Daily Star
NILES – From St. Mary's Elementary School, then at Niles High School as a wrestler under legendary coach Ed Weed, up to Central Michigan, and finally ending as a wrestling coach at Williamston Community Schools, Jim Mooney's passion for the sport of wrestling gave way to a life-long passion.
As a reward, Mooney was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall Of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Mooney was selected to receive the Lifetime Service Award which honors and recognizes people for their years of commitment and to helping young people not only to succeed in wrestling but also in life.
The award is not about wins or losses, but Mooney posted a 305-125-3 career record.
The 69-year old Mooney was elated to receive the honor.
"It was cool to get it, really good. It is great to see the kids recognize success and to be the best that they can."
Mooney began teaching and coaching for Williamston Community Schools, just outside of East Lansing, in 1962. He coached wrestling for 32 years and was also the athletic director there for 15 years. He loved wrestling, but also coached football, baseball, and golf.
Along the way Mooney coached and mentored 19 state champions and 46 state qualifiers. He coached state champion Tom Minkle, a former U.S. Olympian and current head wrestling coach at Michigan State University.
Minkle along with a sportswriter nominated Mooney for the award.
Mooney's teams won nine state championships, six regional championships and six districts. After a state championship in 1999, he was named Coach of the Year. He also coached 25 individual state champions.
During his tenure, his teams went a remarkable 15 years without losing a match.
"It is most important as to what becomes of the kids after they graduate. Are they going to be successful and contribute. Athletics are a good training ground," Mooney said. "Winning will come if you work hard and outwork your opponent. Winning is not rocket science, you just have to make the right choices."
Mooney recalls a time when the program was down and needed a pep. So he scrimmaged against teams that were better in Niles, Culver Military Academy and South Bend Riley. While in South Bend, the team would stay at Notre Dame and practice in their wrestling room. He would also take the team up to Mackinac Island, scrimmage and would run the island – all to get the kids back up.
"Just stay in it, don't give up. Athletics is once again a good training ground for life, life is tougher than wrestling. We have good kids that wrestled for us now living and working in Napa Valley, New York and even in Iraq."
Mooney had plans to retire in 2000, but that was put on hold to become the athletic director again. Two years after that he was the head coach again.
"I was trying to find a replacement that cared about the program and would be here for a while."
He found an ex-student that was a state champion in 1999 in Missouri.
Finally after the MHSAA Individual State Finals, he retired.
Now in retirement, Mooney has been busy.
Along with his wife, they have hauled motor homes to both coasts, traveled, visit with family and friends, and Jim is even doing some brief writing on some wrestling events.
"There is so much to see," he said.
Mooney also hosts an annual tournament in The Jim Mooney Williamston Classic, mid-Michigan's oldest and most prestigious wrestling tournament.
Mooney and his wife, Barb, have three children and six grandchildren to keep them busy.