Cedar Valley Historical Society Speech on October 27

Sunday, October 25th, 2026 | Book Signing, Iowa History Journal, Speaking | No Comments

The Cedar Valley Historical Society has announced that author and historian Mike Chapman will be the speaker at its October 27 meeting, to be held downstairs in the mess hall at the Grout Museum of History and Science, 503 South St. in Waterloo,

The evening will begin with a social hour and light refreshments at 6:00 PM, followed by a brief business session at 7:00 PM, then the guest speaker.

“A Waterloo native, Mike is an acclaimed author, journalist, and historian who retired from a
35-year career in journalism in 2002,” said a press release. “He now dedicates his time to writing books, articles, and screenplays, as well as delivering speeches across the country.”

He has authored 33 books, including the biography of Terry Branstad, the longest serving
governor in American history. His historical fiction novel, Lowell Park, explores Ronald Reagan’s time as a lifeguard in 1932 and its historical intersection with Abraham Lincoln’s military service in the same area a century prior. The novel has been optioned for a Hollywood film production.

A widely recognized speaker and media personality, Chapman has spoken at nearly 150 events and appeared on programs such as Antiques Roadshow, ESPN, A&E, Fox Sports, Iowa Public Television, and Fox and Friends. He has also been featured in nine documentaries and interviewed iconic figures, including Ronald Reagan, Muhammad Ali, and Robert Redford.

Beyond his literary accomplishments, Chapman is one of the nation’s leading authorities on the history of wrestling. He is a member of 12 halls of fame, a five-time National Wrestling Writer of the Year, and founder of Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine (WIN). He also created the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy—the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy—and founded the International Wrestling Institute and Museum, which moved to Waterloo from Newton in 2008 and is named in honor of Dan Gable.

In addition to his athletic and historical pursuits, Chapman is an authority on the Trojan War and co-founded the Iowa History Journal with his wife, Bev, in 2008.

Members, guests, and community members are highly encouraged to attend.
Admission for the event is $3 for guests, while annual memberships are available at $7 for individuals and $12 for families.

The Wrestling Legacy of Humboldt’s Frank Gotch – Iowa PBS Segment

Friday, March 20th, 2026 | Wrestling | No Comments

Iowa PBS Segment on Frank Gotch featuring Mike

Tags: Frank Gotch, Iowa PBS

Two Wrestling Legends

Thursday, January 8th, 2026 | Other, Wrestling | No Comments

When Dan Severn, MMA legend and former amateur star, visited us in Newton recently, I invited him to sit in the rocker chair once owned by the great Frank Gotch, and “The Beast” was happy to oblige. I purchased this chair and a writing table in an auction on June 29, 1996, at the house Frank owned in his hometown of Humboldt, Iowa, when he was the heavyweight wrestling champion of the world. Frank died in 1917 at the age of 39 of Bright’s Disease, but his house remained in ownership of extended family members until 1996.

In addition, I have written numerous books and articles about Gotch and produced a video about him 20 years ago. I also own his derby hat, 5 autographs by him and led the charge to have a handsome statue of him erected in Bicknell Park in Humboldt, and I was the main speaker at the unveiling on July 4, 2012. Bicknell Park is where Frank did his training for the his epic rematch with The Russian Lion, George Hackenschmidt, in Chicago, in 1911.

Dan was a national high school and college star before entering the world of MMA. He was the first athlete to show the world that wrestling is a martial art and able to compete with all other combative disciplines. We have been friends for 25 years, and I even worked his corner once in one of his top battles.

Tags: Dan Severn, Frank Gotch, Humboldt

KXEL IowaFest on August 2

Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 | Book Signing, Books, Other, Radio | No Comments

Mike and Bev will be among the special guests at IowaFest, “A Celebration of Food, Friends, and Fellowship” presented by News/Talk 1540 KXEL of Waterloo, on August 2.  The event is an annual celebration hosted by the popular radio station and there is no admission fee. All are welcome! 

The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the National Cattle Congress Pavilion in Waterloo. Snacks, soda and water are also free.

Mike has appeared on KXEL numerous times with Jeff Stein, station manager and well-known talk show host. He will have some of the 32 books he has written for sale, and will have several very unique items on display, including the framed letter that Ronald Reagan wrote to him back in 1990 when Mike was executive editor of the daily newspaper in Dixon, Illinois, the hometown of President Reagan. The letter was featured on Antique Roadshow earlier this year. He will also have items related to Waterloo legends such as the five Sullivan brothers, Fred Becker and Dan Gable.

Another special guest will be Van Harden, the retired legendary voice of radio station WHO in Des Moines, who has written several books and will have them available for purchase too.