Fred McGaver was born in Milwaukee, WI. The son of Eleonore and Frank McGaver and the youngest of 6 children. He had plenty of mentors growing up in Cudahy, Wisconsin, with siblings Charles, Joseph, Richard, MaryAnn and Christine. In 1974 Fred graduated from Thomas More High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration in 1980 from Marquette University. Since 1980, Fred has been in the life insurance business helping people with their financial strategies, is a Member of the Million Dollar Round Table contracted with Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, and is a perennial Top Producer. He resides in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
Fred was first introduced to the sport of wrestling in his junior year of high school by two neighborhood friends; Bill Hinkens, Paul Mulqueen and his older brother Mark, serving as a motivating mentor. Since they were All State Champions they inspired Fred to be his best, too. In the summer of his junior year, he was invited to wrestle on Wednesday nights for “Open Wrestling” at Marquette University. Open Wrestling was an opportunity for area high school wrestlers to enjoy competition from a larger field of competitors including college students. With encouragement of Fred’s coaches, Ron Fieber (junior yr.) and Tom Knitter (senior yr.), Fred and Bill Hinkens subscribed to the slogan “Summer Wrestlers are Winter Champions”.
In 1975 Fred enrolled at Marquette University, where he competed at 177lbs as a freshman, 190lbs as a sophomore and at heavyweight in his remaining collegiate years. Fred's coaches during the first three years were George Martin Hall of Fame Charter Members Barney Karpfinger and Larry O'Neill. The last 2 years his coaches were Dan Jones (Head Coach) and assistants Dr. Frank Galka, Bob Healy, Mike Beining. Having had the Honor to become Marquette’s 1st All-American, Fred is also a member of the Marquette University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Upon Graduation from Marquette University Fred became a team member with the Wisconsin Wrestling Club and competed for the team until 1986. From 1987 until 1996 he competed with the Ohio State Wrestling Club under the coaching of Russ Hellickson. Fred enjoyed receiving All-American Honors several times for both clubs in the U.S Open Freestyle Nationals.
Although Fred never won any World or Olympic Medals he had the honor to train with 8 Olympic Medalists over an 18 year period of time. These training partners were Russ Hellickson - 1976 Olympic Silver, Doug Blubaugh - 1960 Olympic Gold and Tournament MVP, Ben Peterson - 1972 Olympic Gold, 1976 Olympic Silver, John Peterson - 1972 Olympic Silver, 1976 Olympic Gold, Lou Banach - 1984 Olympic Gold, Jeff Blatnick - 1984 Olympic Gold, Bruce Baumgartner - 1984 Olympic Gold, 1988 Olympic Silver, 1992 Olympic Gold, 1996 Olympic Bronze, and Rulon Gardner 2000 Olympic Gold, 2004 Olympic Bronze.
Other World Class Athletes who were Training Partners were: Laurent Soucie, Dan Chaid, Mark Coleman, Mitch Hull, and Pat Christiansen.
From 1975 -1996 while competing in three different weight classes, Fred won the Wisconsin State AAU Championships 20 times and finished 2nd twice.
At age 40, Fred was a finalist in the U.S. Olympic Trials, the oldest athlete to ever compete in that event.
Coaching Experience
Thomas More H.S. 1975 – 1978 Volunteer Coach
Marquette University 1980-1981 Asst. Coach
Marquette University H.S. 1980-1984 Volunteer Coach
Waukesha Memorial H.S. 1987-2000 Volunteer Coach
Marquette University H.S. 2002-2003 Head Coach
During the time he coached at the 3 different high schools, those teams won a total of 12 WISSA Team State Championships.
Fred attributes his longevity in the sport to his willingness to learn from other athletes no matter what their age, and training with the best in the world. Fred is also grateful for the friendship of his coaches and those he competed with and against as they are life long friends.
Coaching and strong mentor influences in Fred’s path are Barney Karpfinger, Larry O’Neill, Dan Jones, Dr. Frank Galka, Tom Knitter, Mike Coakley, Andy Rein, Mark Schmitz, Mitch Hull, Duane Kleven, Tom Talbot, Terry Schockley, Jim Koch. Tom Burns, Kevin & Kent Morin, Tom Chicantek, Tim & Mike Jarecki, David Goesch, Dan Hermann, Ray Jacobsen, Jim Schmitz, Tom Giebel, Doug Andrewski, Bob Sweet, Jerry Gates, Tom Giorgi, Wally Spence, Steve Bell, Curt Lock, Ben Guido, Tim Celek, Jerry Gradisnik, Dr. A. J. Capelli, Rick Bower, Mike End, Cal Wetzel, Rick Fronberry, Joe Schubert, Tom McShane Sr., Jos Boom, Brian Weber, Bob Weingart, Hank Raymonds, and Al McGuire.