Jack Radabaugh was born in St. Paul, MN and graduated from Hastings High School, Hastings, MN. He attended Rochester Junior College in Rochester, MN and graduated from Mankato State University.
At Hastings High School, Jack was a conference runner-up, regional champion, and Most Valuable Wrestler his senior year. His team placed third in the state tournament.
Jack attended Rochester Junior College. In 1966, wrestling under John Pilo's fine coaching, Jack was a National Champion at 137 pounds and had an undefeated season that year. He was one of three National Champs at Rochester that season. He was also named "Athlete of the Year" for the city of Hastings and qualified for the Olympic training camp in Alamosa, CO.
At Mankato State University, Jack wrestled on the varsity for 2 years, under Coach Rummy Macias and had winning seasons both years, placing 3rd in the NIAC and 7th in the NCAA College Division. There were only 4 All-Americans named in those years.
In 1970 Jack was hired as the head wrestling coach at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, replacing Abe Sponburg, who was on leave of absence. He coached there 2 years. In his second year the team improved from 7th to 3rd place in their conference.
After Gustavus, Jack went on to become the assistant wrestling coach at Mankato State University, again having the privilege of working with one of wrestling's legends, Rummy Macias.
In 1972, Jack was hired at Ellsworth High School as a physical education teacher. He was assistant wrestling coach and assistant football coach. Head wrestling coach at that time was Kirby Symes, a member of the George Martin Hall of Fame. Jack says he felt honored to be able to learn from a person like Kirby. Three years after Jack was hired at Ellsworth, Symes stepped down as wrestling coach, turning the reins over to Jack.
Over the next 21 years, Jack compiled a 243-41-4 dual meet record as head coach. His teams have won 12 Middle Border Conference titles, 14 regional titles, 11 sectional titles and 1 State Championship.
Individual accomplishments include: 5 state champions, 45 state place winners, 43 sectional champs, 95 regional champs, 76 conference camps and 1 high school All-American, Gary Langer. Jack has been voted WWCA District Coach of the Year twice. He also served on the WWCA Executive Committee for 12 years. He helped or organize the Minnesota-Wisconsin All-Star Classic and served as an All-Star coach twice. He served as meet manager until 1994. He has served in some capacity (head coach, assistant coach, team manager) for the Wisconsin Junior Freestyle Team from 1975 until the present. Jack also officiated wrestling from 1968 to 1984 and has officiated the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament.
Jack says he has been honored to be able to work with fine coaches and teachers throughout his career at Ellsworth, especially his long-time assistants, Bill Lewis and Dave Kastberg. He would also like to thank and recognize all of the former wrestlers from Ellsworth who have passed through his life. He is proud to have been a part of their lives.

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