Photo by: Tom Nelson
SCSU Alum Neil Jennissen Named to MWCA Hall of Fame
4/18/2022 1:52:00 PM | Wrestling
Jennissen to be inducted to Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in May
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Wrestling alum and area head coach Neil Jennissen will be inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in May. Jennissen wrestled for the Huskies in the 1980s and graduated from SCSU with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and Health, Driver's Education, Athletic training and coaching. His son, Clayton, earned All-America for the Huskies in 2016, finishing seventh at 174 pounds at the 2016 NCAA DII Wrestling Championships.
Jennissen's Bio from MWCA Release:
Neil Jennissen resided with his family in Sauk Centre, MN until 1978 then moved to Staples, MN. He participated in football, wrestling, and track. He was a three-sport captain and 11-time letter winner. He was a 2x District 24 finalist his junior year and he was conference champion and District champion his senior year. He wrestled on three state teams that made the finals, helping his team win two titles. He was captain of the 1981 Staples State Team Class A Champion. He graduated from Staples High School in 1981. Neil wrestled for Hall of Fame coach Ken Vogt as well as Hall of Fame coach Don Dravis.
Neil was a state freestyle runner-up in 1980, and was an All-American (8th place) at the Greco-Roman National Tournament. Upon graduating from Staples High School Neil attended the University of Minnesota-Morris, then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and Health, Driver's Education, Athletic training, and coaching. He was a starter for the University of Minnesota-Morris at 150 lbs. and he also wrestled at St. Cloud State until injuries ended his career in 1985. Neil eventually obtained his Master's in Physical education as well as his Master's in Administration from St. Mary's University.
Neil has coached for 38 years and 90 seasons. His duties have included football, cross country, wrestling, track, and baseball. He was 1987 Section Track Coach of the Year at Sartell. He was Section Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2009. He was State Coach of the Year in 1994. He served as President of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association in 2000 and 2019. He was the 2016 St. Cloud State Alumni Recognition Award recipient, and inducted into the Bluejacket Hall of Fame in 2019. Neil's coaching record is 645-237-3. His teams made the state team finals twice, and his teams have won 12 section titles, 10 Conference Team titles, 22 Section Finals. He has coached 164 state entrants, 81 Section Champions, 70 All State wrestlers, 17 All State Academic wrestlers, and 311 All-Conference wrestlers. Five Bluejacket Wrestlers have gone on to Wrestle Division 1: Luke Becker, University of Minnesota, Jake Avre, University of Minnesota, Zach Molitor NDSU, Billy Blumhoefer, Air Force Academy, and Tony Nelson University of Minnesota.
Neils' former Bluejacket Wrestlers have earned 14 All American certificates at the Collegiate level: Luke Becker 4, Tony Nelson 4, Zach Molitor 3, Ross Dankers 1 ,Clayton Jennissen 1 and Makayla Welch 1. Three Bluejacket Wrestlers have won national titles. Tony Nelson 2, Luke Becker 1 and Zach Molitor 1. Neil served 20 years as a member of the Army National Guard, retiring in 2003 as a Major. He served 14 years with the Cambridge Fire Department from 2004-2008.
Today Neil is a retired PE teacher but still employed at ISD 911 as a Driver Ed Instructor, Head Wrestling Coach and 9th grade Football coach. He is married to Amy, who also teaches and coaches in the District. Neil and Amy are the parents of 3 grown Children; Matt (Brita) children Amber and Lucy, Amanda (Andrew) son Charlie, and Clayton (Kylie). Neil and Amy currently reside in Grasston, MN on Lake Pokegama.
Jennissen's Bio from MWCA Release:
Neil Jennissen resided with his family in Sauk Centre, MN until 1978 then moved to Staples, MN. He participated in football, wrestling, and track. He was a three-sport captain and 11-time letter winner. He was a 2x District 24 finalist his junior year and he was conference champion and District champion his senior year. He wrestled on three state teams that made the finals, helping his team win two titles. He was captain of the 1981 Staples State Team Class A Champion. He graduated from Staples High School in 1981. Neil wrestled for Hall of Fame coach Ken Vogt as well as Hall of Fame coach Don Dravis.
Neil was a state freestyle runner-up in 1980, and was an All-American (8th place) at the Greco-Roman National Tournament. Upon graduating from Staples High School Neil attended the University of Minnesota-Morris, then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and Health, Driver's Education, Athletic training, and coaching. He was a starter for the University of Minnesota-Morris at 150 lbs. and he also wrestled at St. Cloud State until injuries ended his career in 1985. Neil eventually obtained his Master's in Physical education as well as his Master's in Administration from St. Mary's University.
Neil has coached for 38 years and 90 seasons. His duties have included football, cross country, wrestling, track, and baseball. He was 1987 Section Track Coach of the Year at Sartell. He was Section Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2009. He was State Coach of the Year in 1994. He served as President of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association in 2000 and 2019. He was the 2016 St. Cloud State Alumni Recognition Award recipient, and inducted into the Bluejacket Hall of Fame in 2019. Neil's coaching record is 645-237-3. His teams made the state team finals twice, and his teams have won 12 section titles, 10 Conference Team titles, 22 Section Finals. He has coached 164 state entrants, 81 Section Champions, 70 All State wrestlers, 17 All State Academic wrestlers, and 311 All-Conference wrestlers. Five Bluejacket Wrestlers have gone on to Wrestle Division 1: Luke Becker, University of Minnesota, Jake Avre, University of Minnesota, Zach Molitor NDSU, Billy Blumhoefer, Air Force Academy, and Tony Nelson University of Minnesota.
Neils' former Bluejacket Wrestlers have earned 14 All American certificates at the Collegiate level: Luke Becker 4, Tony Nelson 4, Zach Molitor 3, Ross Dankers 1 ,Clayton Jennissen 1 and Makayla Welch 1. Three Bluejacket Wrestlers have won national titles. Tony Nelson 2, Luke Becker 1 and Zach Molitor 1. Neil served 20 years as a member of the Army National Guard, retiring in 2003 as a Major. He served 14 years with the Cambridge Fire Department from 2004-2008.
Today Neil is a retired PE teacher but still employed at ISD 911 as a Driver Ed Instructor, Head Wrestling Coach and 9th grade Football coach. He is married to Amy, who also teaches and coaches in the District. Neil and Amy are the parents of 3 grown Children; Matt (Brita) children Amber and Lucy, Amanda (Andrew) son Charlie, and Clayton (Kylie). Neil and Amy currently reside in Grasston, MN on Lake Pokegama.
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