Hall of Fame

Willie Myers

Willie Myers

  • Class
  • Induction
    2025
  • Sport(s)
    UW-Whitewater
Induction Video

(Written: July 2025)

Willie Myers served as UW-Whitewater’s wrestling head coach from 1968-2004 and the men’s athletics director from 1983-98. As wrestling coach, Myers led the Warhawks to 12 conference titles and 17 top-20 finishes at national tournaments, including nine top-10 performances. He ranks second on the conference’s all-time list with a 301-136-7 dual meet record and coached 64 individual conference champions, 53 All-Americans and four individual national champions. Myers received the conference’s Mertz Mortorelli Coach of the Year honor five times and was the NAIA Rookie Coach of the Year in 1969.

Myers coached the U.S. freestyle team at the 1977 World University Games and served as team administrator for the U.S. at the 1979 World University Games.

As athletics director, he oversaw the remodeling of the Williams Center and addition of Kachel Fieldhouse. Myers aided in planning and administering the men’s programs to meet gender equity mandates.

He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004. The UW-Whitewater wrestling room was named in his honor in 2005 and now bears the name Willie Myers Family Wrestling Gymnasium.

Myers was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1966, George Martin Hall of Fame in 1982, Eastern Illinois University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996, and UW-Whitewater Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2012, he was selected the WIAC Wrestling All-Time Coach in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.

Myers earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Eastern Illinois University, and doctorate in education administration from UW-Madison.

Myers passed away in January 2021. His wife Sherry resides in Fort Atkinson, Wis. They have two daughters Jori and Kelly, a son Aaron and five grandchildren.