[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 41 (Friday, March 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING COACH, MITCH HANCOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2010

  Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Michigan 
High School Athletic Association's Division 1 Wrestling Coach of the 
Year, Mitch Hancock. Hailing from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic 
Central High School, Coach Hancock led his grapplers to their first 
state championship in 22 years. Under his tutelage, all 14 Catholic 
Central wrestlers qualified for the individual state meet.
  Taking over the head coaching reins from his mentor, 40 year 
legendary Coach Mike Rodriguez, in the fall of 2007, Mitch Hancock 
brought the unique perspective of having won an individual state title 
himself. Hancock was selected as a high school All-American and went on 
to have a stellar career at Central Michigan University where he again 
attained All-American status.
  Though CC is known for excellence in many sports, it reserves a 
section of its rafters for state championship banners in the two sports 
the Shamrocks herald as their calling card: football and wrestling. In 
his inaugural season, Coach Hancock took his Shamrocks to the state 
regionals, where their season ended at the hands of Hartland, 39-33. 
Hancock's sophomore campaign ended at the state quarterfinals as 
Catholic Central was bested by Lake Orion, 42-27. This season Coach 
Hancock and the Shamrocks reached the pinnacle by dethroning perennial 
power Rockford, 39-24, earning their first state championship under 
Hancock's reign. Mitch Hancock has coached five individual state 
champions in three short years, amassing a record of 56-18. He has 
placed eight wrestlers in All-State status with the 2010 selections as 
yet to be announced.
  It is understandable why former coach Mike Rodriguez felt completely 
comfortable in turning his legacy of 40 years over to Hancock. 
Rodriguez saw a willingness to get on the mat and challenge his 
wrestlers. Mitch Hancock has an incredible passion for the sport and 
enjoys helping his athletes develop. Coach Hancock's priorities are, in 
order; God, family, job and wrestling. His wrestlers understand that 
excellence is the expectation, not the exception.
  Madam Speaker, after earning his first state championship and being 
selected as the Michigan High School Association's 2010 Division 1 
Wrestling Coach of the Year, Mitch Hancock deserves to be recognized 
for his dedication to the young men of Catholic Central and his 
determination to keep the highly respected winning tradition of the 
Shamrocks alive. In recognition of his effort and the honor bestowed 
upon him, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Detroit 
Catholic Central Wrestling Coach Mitch Hancock on his accolades and in 
honoring his devotion to our community and country. Live and Die for CC 
High!

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