1997 Dick Kuzminski  Mosinee.gifDick Kuzminsky was born in Pennsylvania where he graduated from United High School, wrestling for Alex Zbur. He attended UW-Superior, where he lettered four years for "Hall of Fame" Coach Americo Mortorelli. Dick won the Wisconsin State University Championship at 118 and placed 5th in the NAIA tournament in 1966. He was captain his senior year and chosen "Most Inspirational Wrestler" by his teammates. Dick served as assistant coach his last year at UW-Superior.

After graduation, Dick started his coaching career at Mosinee High School in Mosinee, WI, where he replaced long time Coach Don Greenwood. Dick gives Don much credit for teaching him to understand and motivate student athletes.

Over the next 26 years, Dick compiled a 201-109-6 dual meet record as head coach. His teams won nine conference championships, three regional championships, and 28 individual championships. Team state place finishes include 1973-74 - 20th; 1975-75 - 16th; 1977-78 - 7th; 1978-79 - 4th; and 1990-91 - 9th.

Individual accomplishments include 5 state champions, 42 state qualifiers, 18 sectional champions, 51 regional champions and 40 conference champions.

Dick worked many wrestling camps in the State of Wisconsin, and assisted with an NAIA exchange team to Korea and Japan.

Dick says it has been an honor and privilege to work with the wonderful student athletes at Mosinee High School and hopes it continues for a few more years. His thanks go out to all his assistants over the years.

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Richard "Dick" Kuzminsky, 68, of Mosinee, Wisconsin, died April 4,2013 at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida after a brief illness.

Dick was bom to James and Sarah (Zetta) Kuzminsky on November 20,1944 in Lucememines, Pennsylvania. He graduated from United High School ('63), University of Wisconsin-Superior with a BS in Physical Education ('71) and earned a masters degree in Education from Marion College ('93). Dick was a Sergeant in the United States Army, 25fh Infantry Division. He served in the Vietnam war from 1967-68. He returned to UW-Superior after being honorably discharged from the US Army to finish his degree. Dick married Catherine Martinson in Superior, Wisconsin on September 20,1969.

Dick taught elementary physical education and was Mosinee High School's wrestling coach for 30 years. In 1997, Dick was inducted into the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his contribution to^wrestling and years of leadership for outstanding work with young athletes. In 2008, Dick received a Hall of Fame award for his achievements with the 1966-67 UW-Superior Yellowjackets wrestling team in which he was a state intercollegiate champion and earned. All American status. In 2009, he was inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Superior's Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Mertz Mortorelli Coaching Achievement Award. Dick is also listed in the Outstanding Athletes of America publication.

Dick is survived by his wife, Catherine, daughter Shelbe (Pat) Healy of Wausau, Wisconsin, daughter Ivy (Brent) Gabele of Franklin, Tennessee, grandchildren Connor and daire Healy and Piper and Reeve Gabele. Two brothers, John Kuzminsky of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, Robert Kuzminsky of Vintondale, Pennsylvania, one sister Linda Martin of Homer City, Pennsylvania. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Sarah, and a brother James formerly of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.