Upcoming Speaking Engagements

Friday, October 5th, 2018 | Speaking | No Comments

After a year’s hiatus due to health issues,  Mike is back on the speaking tour. If your organization is interested in having Mike give a talk at one of your events, contact him at 641-791-3072. Listed below these upcoming dates are a brief bio and a list of testimonials from previous speeches.
 
November 12, 2018 – Mike will be the featured speaker during a Veterans Day Celebration held Monday, Nov. 12, at 10:00 am at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Waterloo. Located at 104 W. 5th Street, the Veterans Memorial Hall is a beautiful brick structure that was built in 1915 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Mike’s speech will be about Fred Becker, the Waterloo native who became the very first All-American football player at the University of Iowa in 1916, and then lost his life on July 18, 1918, fighting in World War I in France. Mike has written numerous articles on Fred and his book “Triumph and Tragedy” has a long chapter on Becker. Mike was also instrumental in having a new school in Waterloo named for Lt. Becker and for organizing Fred Becker Day on July 18 of this year at Fairview Cemetery. 

November 12 – To help celebrate Veterans Day with students at West Waterloo High School, Mike will give a talk at an all-school assembly on Monday, Nov. 12, at 8:30 a.m. He will focus on the tremendous sacrifices made by two legendary Waterloo athletes, Fred Becker of East High and Carl Chapman of West High. American Legion Post 138 in Waterloo is named for these two war heroes..

November 28 – Mike will be the guest speaker at the regular meeting of the Newton Kiwanis Club on Wednesday, at noon. Mike will be talking about his latest book, a memoir entitled “A Journey: Reflections on 50 Years of Writing Wrestling, Weightlifting and Heroes.”

November 30—A huge wrestling event called the AWL #1 is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 30, at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mike and Bev will have several tables of historic wrestling memorabilia on display, along with books and posters for sale. The AWL stands for American Wrestling League, which is making its debut in an effort to bring top-flight amateur freestyle wrestling into a league format, with regional teams competing on a regular basis. The league headquarters are based in Palm Springs, CA, owned and operated by Web Productions. Also, Curran Jacobs, the United World Catch Wrestling Champion, will host a catch wrestling seminar prior to the competition and then will join Mike and Bev at their tables to greet fans. Curran was captain of the 2011 Michigan State University team and has won four major catch championships.  He has a masters degree in theater arts from MSU and has had roles in TV and movies. Catch wresting is the old style that was popular in America in the early 1900s and allows joint-lock submission and choke holds. For more information on the event, go to  the AWL website – www.americanwrestling.org m

April 23, 2019 – On this date, Mike will be the guest speaker at 2019 Renaissance meeting held at the Ottumwa Public Library, starting at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Mike will talk about famous Iowans and have copies of many of his books for sale.

Mike Chapman Bio Information

Mike Chapman, a native of Waterloo, retired from a 35-year newspaper career in 2002, his last position as publisher of the Newton Daily News in Newton, Iowa. Now he spends his time writing books and movie screenplays and giving speeches.

He is the author of 30 books and has been the featured speaker at over 200 events – including athletic banquets, civic meetings, American Legion Boys State and high school assemblies.

Mike has appeared on numerous TV shows — including for ESPN, A&E, Fox Sports, Iowa Public Television and the popular morning show, Fox and Friends. He has been the guest on over 100 radio talk shows. As a writer, he has met and interviewed such people as Ronald Reagan, Muhammad Ali, Robert Redford, and many other stars of movies and sports.

One of his novels – Lowell Park (about Ronald Reagan as a lifeguard in Lowell Park in the summer of 1932) – has been purchased by a major movie company and is in pre-production status.

In 2008, Mike and his wife, Bev, founded Iowa History Journal, a magazine devoted to the preservation of history in Iowa. The magazine is in its eighth year but they sold it three years ago.

Mike is considered by many the nation’s leading authority on the history of wrestling. He has attended 45 NCAA wrestling tournaments, two Olympics and three World championships. He is the founder of WIN magazine, the WIN Memorabilia Show and the Dan Hodge Trophy, often called “The Heisman Trophy of wrestling.”

In 1998, he and Bev created the International Wrestling Institute and Museum, which was located in Newton for ten years before moving to Waterloo in 2008 (now the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Wrestling Museum). He served as its executive director until retiring in October, 2009.

He has been named National Wrestling Writer of the Year five times, by four different national magazines. He was given the Order of Merit by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in 2007 and the Iowa Coaches President’s Award in 2007.

Mike is a member of ten halls of fame. He and Bev live in Newton.

Speaking Testimonials

Mike Chapman spoke to our entire teaching staff at our opening day. His knowledge of Iowa history is amazing but his ability to tell stories about his life experiences was something else.  As I watched the crowd during his presentation I saw laughter and tears all within a 40-minute speech.  One staff member told me that Mike Chapman is the best speaker he has heard in his 30 years as an educator!

Joe Drake, Superintendent, Mount Ayr and Bedford School District

Mike Chapman did an amazing job of captivating, inspiring, and motivating  our student body with an engaging message. Mike is a master story-teller, weaving tales of success, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles while making history and historical figures come alive.  Our students were engaged throughout Mike’s remarks and really enjoyed the opportunity to meet him after the event.  I highly recommend him as a motivational speaker!”

Dan Huff, Principal, North Butler High School.

Mike Chapman served as guest author at the fifth Annual Writer’s Workshop for Hoover/Lou Henry students, grades 4-8, in May of 2009. The author of 20 books encouraged, informed, entertained, challenged, excited and inspired the students to WRITE. It was a tremendous experience for our students.

Donna Huff, Facilitator, Hoover/Lou Henry Writer’s Workshop, Waterloo.

Our students found Mike Chapman’s presentations to be captivating.  He offers a range of experiences and areas of expertise. With compelling  content and delivery, our students listened spellbound. Mike is a story-teller of both ancient and contemporary text. His narratives make us proud to be Iowans who live the values and lessons conveyed in his stories — that of hard work, pride, sacrifice, dedication, and goal-setting.  Students coming from the Chapman presentation leave with the affirmation that it is worthy to be a decent human being who works daily to fulfill potential.

Jan Meyers, Talented and gifted program teacher, Spencer School District

Mike Chapman…. is undoubtedly one of the best speakers I have heard for a long, long time.    The whole group felt that way and lined up to visit with him after the meeting.    His great wife Bev also came with him.

Nancy Johns,Program chair, Northwest Rotary, Urbandale, Iowa

Dear Mike, Thank you so much for your entertaining and informative presentation at our Lions December 13th meeting.  Your book, Triumph and Tragedy: The Inspiring Stories of Four Football Legends, left us all thirsty for more of your writings. Your superb research and presentation regarding Iowa heroes is truly inspirational.

Carol Krantman, 3rd Vice President, Marshalltown Noon Lions Club

Mike Chapman presented our club with a lively, laugh-filled, eye-opening review of famous Iowans, from Nile Kinnick to Dan Gable and everyone in between.  Plus, he offered an unforgettable travelogue about his long-sought visit to the Plain of Troy.  He is perfect for all kinds of organizations because his style and material are fresh, funny and a delight to hear!

Kathie Swift, President, The Friendship Force of Greater Des Moines.

The crowd loved hearing Mike Chapman talk about Iowans of impact at our “Specifically for Seniors” program.  He’s a dynamic speaker and the depth of his research shows in all the fascinating details he shares about his subjects.  As the people were leaving, one lady said, ‘I could listen to him for two more hours!

Cindy Henry, Burlington Public Library

Mike: Your recent presentation to the Daybreak Rotary was superb!  Thanks for taking the time to spread your infectious energy. I could tell by all the nods and intent looks around the room that “you had ’em hooked.” Within hours, I had a minimum of half-dozen people telling me that was a highlight of the whole past year for club presentations.

Your message on the core importance of history for Iowa’s present and future was and is a golden theme. Again, kudos on the masterful storytelling. THAT was a meeting that will echo throughout the year!

Steve Carpenter, Director of Marketing, Kirkwood Community College

Mike Chapman recently spoke at the Stanton Cultural Center.  His topic on great sports legends in Iowa history was one of best and most enlightening presentations I have ever attended.  Both young and old were equally entertained and fascinated by Mr. Chapman’s knowledge and ability to hold an audience’s attention. As a storyteller he is unequalled.

Don Hicks, Stanton School Administrator  

Joe Stecher Days – Dodge, Nebraska

Thursday, May 10th, 2018 | Speaking | No Comments

After a year-long battle with various health issues, Mike is finally getting back in action. Mike will be in Dodge on Saturday, July 14, to help honor Joe. Mike is being hosted by EAT restaurant at 327 2nd Street, a unique establishment with a great atmosphere and a wide variety of food. Mike will have Joe Stecher memorabilia on display from noon to 6:30 p.m.and will give a talk at 2:30, and then show a 20-minute documentary film of Joe Stecher wrestling Earl Caddock for the world heavyweight championship, held January 30, 1920, in Madison Square Garden. Mike will have various Stecher-related items for purchase, as well.

Tags: Dodge Nebraska, Joe Stecher

Upcoming Events this Summer and Fall 2017

Saturday, June 10th, 2017 | Speaking, Wrestling | No Comments

June 10 – Friends of Wayne Baughman are honoring the legendary wrestler, coach and Air Force officer with a celebration on Saturday, June 10, and Mike will be one of the featured speakers. Wayne won 16 national titles during his amazing career and was a member of three Olympic and eight World teams. Wayne is featured in two of Mike’s book – “Toughest Men in Sports” and “Legends of the Mat”. The event is being held on the Air Force Academy grounds and is closed to the public.

June 15 – Mike will be at a book signing in the popular restaurant bar named Illegal Pete’s from 5 to 7 p.m., in Fort Collins, Colorado. The resultant, located at 320 Walnut Street, is managed by Jacquie Chapman, daughter of Mike and Bev. Mike will be signing copies of his latest book “A Journey: Reflections on 50 Years of Writing, Wrestling, Weightlifting and Heroes”. Mike was sports editor of The Coloradoan newspaper in the 1970s and the book has many stories about his time in Fort Collins. Appearing with Mike will be two men featured in the book – Kim Jones and Bill Larson, who both played football at Colorado State University and then went on to long careers in the NFL. The event is open to the public.

July 15 – For the second straight year, Humboldt, Iowa, will be the site of the Frank Gotch World Catch Tournament, to be held at Humboldt High School. The event, sanctioned and put on by the Catch Wrestling Alliance of Los Angeles, begins at 10 am at the high school, 1500 Wildcat Road. Mike will be there at 9 am with a table of Frank Gotch items on display, and for sale. Mike was a co-founder of the tournament last year, and this year’s sponsors are the Humboldt & Dakota City chamber, Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Drink and Spout Living.

July 30 – Legendary wrestler Farmer Burns will be the main subject of conversation at the meeting of the Cedar County Historical Society, where Mike and Wesley Fox will give speeches.  Martin “Farmer” Burns was born in Cedar County near Big Rock in 1861 and became one of the most respected athletic figures of the early 20th century. He was recognized as a world wrestling champion for several years and then became a top coach and trainer, as well. Mike and Wesley have done extensive research on the career of Farmer Burns. The event will be held at the Cedar County Museum, located at 1094 Hwy. 38 in Tipton. It starts at 1:30 p.m. and the public is invited.

August 3-5 – Mike will be one of the special guests at the 2017 Dum Dum held at the Quality Inn and Suites in Coldwater, Michigan. The annual event is the largest gathering of fans in the world to celebrate the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author who created Tarzan of the Apes and other characters such as John Carter of Mars.  Other special guests are Jim Sullos, president of ERB., Inc.; Martin Powell, writer for ERB., Inc.; Bo Hampton, artist for Dark Horse Comics; Bob Zueschner, author of “Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Biography,” and Cathy and Tyler Wilbanks, of Team ERB. The host for the event is Michael Hatt, author of the book “Tarzan Slept Here”, which details the times Burroughs stayed in Coldwater.
   
Mike has written two books about actors who played Tarzan in the movies and his latest memoirs has a lot of Tarzan stories in it. He will have all three books for sale, along with other Tarzan memorabilia.
   
The dum dum is a gathering of apes that Tarzan called by beating on jungle drums. Mike hosted Dum Dum events in 1997 (Newton, Iowa), 2004 (Fort Collins,Colorado) and 2008 (Waterloo, Iowa) and is a recipient of the Golden Lion Award, given out by the Burroughs Bibliophiles to persons who have to perpetuate the memory of ERB and his works.

August 29 – Mike will be the featured guest speaker at the Winterset Public Library, speaking about the many great Iowans he has written abut, both in books and in magazines. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.and is open to the public. Mike will have copies of his many books for display and for sale.

September 10 – The Johnston Public Library is hosting Mike for a speech about famous Iowans, based on his many books and years of research.  The event starts at 3 p.m. and is open to the public. The library is located at 6700 Merle Hay Road in Johnston.

September 16 – Mike will be a guest at the Author’s Fair at the Waverly Public Library, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. There will be a number of authors present and the public is invited to attend, at no charge.

October 5 – Wrestling will be the topic of his speech when Mike is a guest at the Monticello Public Library in Monticello, Iowa, beginning at 6 pm. He will talk about the grand history of the sport, going back 5000 years to ancient Sumer (now called Iraq) and will also discuss Iowa’s tremendous heritage in the sport. Mike will have copies of his many books for display and for sale. The public is invited to attend.

October 17 – Mike will give a speech at the Clear Lake Library about famous Iowa football players discussed in his popular book, “Triumph and Tragedy”. The four legendary players are Fred Becker, the University of Iowa’s first All-American who died in 1918 while fighting in France during World War I; Jack Trice, whose very limited play at Iowa State in 1923 inspired the school to name its football stadium for him; Nile Kinnick, who in 1939 won the Heisman Trophy as a Hawkeye then lost his life in a plane crash during World War II, and Drake’s Johnny Bright, who was the nation’s top player in the early 1950s. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

October 28 – The Kothe Memorial Library in Parkersburg will host Mike for a speech on the grand historic past and legacy of wrestling, beginning at 11 a.m. Mike will have several unique wrestling items on display as well as many of his books on wrestling and famous Iowans. The event is open to the public.

Tags: 2017 Dum Dum, Farmer Burns, Frank Gotch World Catch Tournament, Fred Becker, JackTrice, Johnny Bright, Nile Kinnick, Tarzan, Wayne Baughman

Upcoming Events for April and August 2017

Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 | Book Signing, Books, Speaking | No Comments

April 13 – Governor Terry Branstad will appear at the Newton YMCA for a special book signing on Thursday, April 13, from noon until 1:30 p.m., and Mike will be with him. Mike was the author of the book “Iowa’s Record-Setting Governor: The Terry Branstad Story,” which came out in December of 2015. The book is 234 pages long with over 50 photos, covering the governor’s life from growing up on a farm in tiny Leland, to attending high school in Forest City and then the University of Iowa and Drake law school. The book details his career as a politician, up through 2015 when he became the longest serving governor in American history.
 
Also, Mike will debut his latest book called “A Journey: Reflections on 50 Years on Writing, Wrestling, Weightlifting and Heroes. “ it is a 286 page book with nearly 200 photos, including stories on some of the best-known figures in U.S. history – from  Ronald Reagan, Muhammad Ali, Robert Redford, and Lou “The Incredible Hulk” Ferrigno to Iowa icons like Dan Gable, Hayden Fry, Dan McCarney and, of course, Terry Branstad. it is Mike’s 29th published book.
 
August 3-5 – Mike will be one of the special guests at the 2017 Dum Dum held at the Quality Inn and Suites in Coldwater, Michigan. The annual event is the largest gathering of fans in the world to celebrate the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author who created Tarzan of the Apes and other characters such as John Carter of Mars.  Other special guests are Jim Sullos, president of ERB., Inc.; Martin Powell, writer for ERB., Inc.; Bo Hampton, artist for Dark Horse Comics; Bob Zueschner, author of “Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Biography,” and Cathy and Tyler Wilbanks, of Team ERB. The host for the event is Michael Hatt, author of the book “Tarzan Slept Here”, which details the times Burroughs stayed in Coldwater.
   
Mike has written two books about actors who played Tarzan in the movies and his latest memoirs has a lot of Tarzan stories in it. He will have all three books for sale, along with other Tarzan memorabilia.
   
The dum dum is a gathering of apes that Tarzan called by beating on jungle drums. Mike hosted Dum Dum events in 1997 (Newton, Iowa), 2004 (Fort Collins,Colorado) and 2008 (Waterloo, Iowa) and is a recipient of the Golden Lion Award, given out by the Burroughs Bibliophiles to persons who have to perpetuate the memory of ERB and his works.

Tags: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan, Terry Branstad