Oswego, NY - This past weekend, National Wrestling Coaches Association honored its 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Hall of Fame class, celebrating six individuals whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the sport. Among those inducted was Oswego Lakers head men's wrestling coach Mike Howard, adding another milestone to his distinguished career.

Howard was formally inducted during the Hall of Fame Ceremony held prior to the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as family, friends, and members of the wrestling community gathered to recognize his decades of impact on collegiate wrestling.

Howard's journey began as a student-athlete at the University at Buffalo, where he competed from 1981 to 1983 before transferring to SUNY Oswego. Wrestling in the 167-pound weight class, he served as a two-time co-captain for the Lakers from 1984 to 1986.

Now in his 37th year in collegiate coaching, Howard has built one of the most sustained and successful careers in NCAA Division III wrestling history at SUNY Oswego. Since taking over the program in 1989, he has led the Lakers to 30 NCAA Championship appearances, including an impressive streak of 20 consecutive showings from 1990 to 2009. His career includes coaching 73 national qualifiers, 22 All-Americans, 29 conference champions, and 210 conference place winners.

Beyond his success on the mat, Howard has made a significant impact on the sport at the national level, serving on multiple committees, including as Chair of the NWCA Division III Ranking Committee. In 2024, he was also inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

With his latest honor now official, Howard's legacy continues to stand as a cornerstone of Oswego wrestling.