Kevin Casper, son of Ken and Phyllis, is the third of four sons and was raised in Coleman, Wisconsin. Kevin was introduced to wrestling in the 5th grade while he attended school in Coleman. This was the beginning of a life long love of the sport. Kevin wrestled varsity his sophomore through senior year for Hall of Fame coach Roger Pillath at Coleman High School. During his time as a Coleman Cougar, Kevin was a two time state qualifier in 1978 and 1979, taking 5th his senior year. As an upperclassman, Kevin was team captain and MVP for both junior and senior year. Kevin also participated in football and track during high school. In 1979, Kevin graduated after earning an 81-12-1 record.
Kevin was recruited by Hall Of Fame Coach Jim Koch and entered the University of Wisconsin Parkside in fall of 1979. Kevin wrestled varsity for UW Parkside for two years before transferring to UW Oshkosh in pursuit of a teaching degree in Physical Education. Kevin red shirted his first year and was a varsity wrestler at UW Oshkosh from 1982-1984. Kevin was also a two time WSUC place winner and team captain his senior year.
Upon graduation from UW Oshkosh in 1984, Kevin took a Physical Education position for Holy Family Schools in Marinette, and during that same year moved into a position with the City of Marinette as Assistant Parks and Recreation Director until 1991. From 1991-1998 Kevin contributed to the community as the Director of Recreation for the City of Marinette. Then, in 1998, Kevin, began his career as a partner and co-owner Wagner-Casper Insurance Agency.
Kevin was able to continue to contribute to the wrestling world as an assistant coach for the Marinette High School team from 1984-1985. Then from 1985-1989, he took the reins of head middle school coach at Marinette. Soon, due to his previous experiences and achievements in the wrestling teams of his past, Kevin was offered the opportunity that would shape the next decades of his future. From 1989 to the present, Kevin has been the head wrestling coach at Coleman High School. Just like in his other endeavors, Kevin put his heart and soul into the program. Over the past 21 years, Kevin has coached Coleman to 2 State Championships, 2 State Runner-up finishes, 9 Sectional Championships, 18 Regional Championships, 19 Conference Championships, and 7 State Champions. He has coached 59 State Place Winners and 89 individual State Qualifiers. Kevin has received numerous coaching awards from The WWCA, including four-time District Coach of the Year and State Coach of the year in 2010.
Coleman wrestling has been rich in tradition since the beginning of the program under the late Jim Douglas who is one of the original charter members of the George Martin Hall of Fame. Kevin is the 5th Hall of Fame inductee with Coleman roots. Others include Roger Pillath, Jim Richie, and Ken Martin. Kevin believes it is an honor and privilege to coach at Coleman and feels the program`s success is due to a great youth wrestling program, a community that loves and supports its wrestling tradition, dedicated, hard-working students, and a passionate coaching staff. Kevin gives a lot of credit of the program`s success to his long time assistants Tim Gould, Jason Maye, and his brother, Karl Casper.
Kevin and his wife Kelly have two children: sons Kasey and Karson. Kevin also has twin daughters Taira and Bridget who are seniors at UW Oshkosh. Kevin credits all of his family for his success through their support along the way. He especially credits his mom and dad for instilling within him all of the great qualities they portray including integrity and perseverance. Kevin would also like to thank his wife Kelly for all her support both at home and at school. The extra work she puts in makes the Coleman Wrestling program extra special. Kevin also would like to thank his brothers Kent, Karl, and Keith for their support.
Lastly, induction into the George Martin Hall of Fame is an honor. Kevin wanted to thank the nominating committee for selecting him, Blaine Felsman and Karl Casper for nominating him, and all those who wrote letters on his behalf.