Mike Kulczycki returns for his seventh season at Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI

Posted on | July 16, 2010 | No Comments

Mike Kulczycki returns for his seventh season as a member of the University of Michigan wrestling coaching staff. A former NCAA All-American at Michigan, Kulczycki has brought a tradition of success back to his alma mater. Prior to his appointment to the full-time staff, he spent one season as the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning coordinator.

Kulczycki’s responsibilities include a large share of the program’s day-to-day operations, including practice planning, match preparation, event and clinic promotion and individual technique assistance. As Michigan’s recruiting coordinator, Kulczycki has also overseen and contributed to the development of the program’s future. The 2009 recruiting contingent — the Wolverines’ current freshman class — was ranked ninth by InterMat, fourth by Wrestling USA magazine and combined for 13 state or prep titles and a pair of Senior High School Nationals titles. It is Michigan’s third straight top-10 recruiting class.

Over his brief coaching tenure, Kulczycki has been instrumental in developing the Wolverine middle-weight wrestlers as a sound technician and competitive training partner. Among the notable performers under his tutelage are two-time NCAA champion Ryan Bertin (2002-05) and NCAA champion Steve Luke (2006-09) and All-American and Big Ten champions Ryan Churella (2003-06), Josh Churella (2005-08), Eric Tannenbaum (2005-08) and Tyrel Todd (2006-09).

During Kulczycki’s own career at Michigan (2000-03), the Wolverines established themselves as a dominant team at the national level with top-10 showings at the NCAA Championships in each of his final three seasons. A 2001 All-American and four-time NCAA qualifer at 149 and 165 pounds, Kulczycki ranks among Michigan’s most successful wrestlers in program history with a 110-41 career record, placing him among the top 20 on the Maize and Blue’s all-time wins list. Known for quickness on his feet, he twice led the Wolverines in takedowns, accumulating more than 500 throughout his career, and boasted back-to-back seasons with 30-plus wins, including a team-leading 38 during his sophomore season. Kulczycki served as team captain during his senior season and was named the 2003 recipient of the Steve Fraser Award for mental toughness.

Prior to his collegiate career, Kulczycki was a two-time Ohio state champion for legendary St. Edward High School — where he was teammates with fellow All-American Wolverines Andy Hrovat and Ryan Bertin — and earned outstanding wrestler honors at the 1998 Ohio state tournament. He was a two-time Cadet world team member, placing sixth at the event in 1993, and claimed the prestigious Dave Schultz Award for Ohio following his senior campaign.

In addition to his Michigan wrestling duties, Kulczycki is also the director and head coach for Michigan’s USA Wrestling Regional Training Site, for which he designs workout plans and organizes and promotes clinics in all areas of wrestling. Kulczycki has helped coach and train Fargo junior national teams over the last two summers, working with the Ohio team in 2008 and the Michigan team in 2009.

A native of North Royalton, Ohio, Kulczycki graduated from Michigan in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and communications. He lives in Ann Arbor.