Fred Lehrke, a graduate of University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, began his coaching at Oregon High School (Wisconsin) in 1963 and in three years turned out a Conference Championship team and a 24-9 win/loss record. Following three years in Oregon, Lehrke moved on to Kettle Moraine High School and produced a Conference Championship squad in only two years.

In 1970 Fred left Kettle Moraine High School with a 42-18-1 record to accept the coaching position at Monroe High School. In just three years his team produced a State Championship (1972), as well as winning the Badger Conference Championship (holding a 27-8 record). Fred’s next move was to D.C. Everest High School in Schofield, Wisconsin.

In 1978 Lehrke's D.C. Everest Team won the State Championship, the first time in the history of Wisconsin wrestling that a wrestling coach had State Championship teams at two different high schools. Lehrke's D.C. Everest teams also claimed Wisconsin State Championships in 1982 and 1986. In his first seven years at D.C. Everest, Fred compiled a record of 60-24, producing a win-loss record of 153-59-1 going into the 1980-81 season. Fred was named Wisconsin Wrestling Coach of the Year in in 1978 and 1986.

Lehrke was a member of the board of the Wisconsin Chapter of the United States Wrestling Federation (soon to become USA Wrestling). He was a coach of the U.S.W.F. Wisconsin Junior National Team one year.

Serving as Vice President and President/Chairman of the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation, Fred was named USA Wrestling State Chairman of the Year in 1993. He served two terms on the National Board of Directors of USA wrestling.

Among other contributions, Fred conducted numerous summer freestyle wrestling tournaments.

Fred was as a member of the Executive Committee of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association and held the post of President of the WWCA during the 1986-1988 term.

Fred Lehrke was inducted into the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1981 and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his Lifetime Service to Wrestling in 2001. Fred retired in 1990.

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