Roger Pillath attended Coleman High School from 1956-60. He experienced athletic success that many dream of, but few attain. He was the state heavy weight champion in 1959 and 1960 and had a prep record of 84-4. During high school he also excelled in football and was named to the National High School All-American football team his senior year.
Upon graduation from high school Roger attended the University of Wisconsin on an athletic scholarship. Once again he excelled in both football and wrestling. He twice was a Big Ten Heavyweight Champion (1962 & 1964) as well as finishing second in the NCAA Tournament. His collegiate wrestling career record stands at 35-5-1. In football Roger was a member of the 1963 Wisconsin Rose Bowl Team. Roger went on to play professional football with the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Roger attained his B.S. from Winona State College in 1967 and began his teaching and coaching career at Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. Following a 12-2 record in his first year, he moved on to Port Washington High School. At Port, Roger led the Pirates to 3 consecutive conference championships and more importantly guided Port Washington to the State Championship in 1971. His 1970 team had finished second in the state tournament. In his tenure at Port, Pillath coached three individual state champions in 3 years. also in 1971 Roger was honored by Scholastic Wrestling News as Coach of the Year.
IN 1971 Roger moved back to his native Coleman and experienced coaching success once again. From 1971-1979 his Coleman teams went 105-7 in duals and won 7 conference championships. Roger retired from coaching in 1979 and continued teaching in the Coleman School District. In commenting on Roger Pillath, Duane Kleven, former UW Wrestling Coach said, "Roger has indeed done it, both as an athlete and a coach."