Mike Juby of Hutchinson, Kansas was named USA Wrestling State Chairperson of the Year. This award honors a USA Wrestling State Chairperson for service and leadership within the organization.

Juby has served as USA Wrestling’s state chairperson in Kansas since 1998. Kansas is one of the largest and most active state associations in the nation, with more than 7,800 members. The state is recognized for a successful Kids program, which impacts young people across the state and culminates in a popular state championships.

Juby started his involvement in USA Wrestling in 1988 through the Hutchinson Wrestling Club. In 1991, he was named a District Director of Kansas USA Wrestling. He was named Assistant Kids Director in 1994, and assumed the office of Kids Director later that year with the passing of longtime Kids leader Bob Cairns.

During his service in Kansas, he was actively involved in hosting the USA Wrestling Kids National Folkstyle Championships in Topeka, Kansas six times. Kansas USA Wrestling also has hosted the Southern Plains Kids/Cadet Regionals and the Southern Plains Junior Regionals during his tenure with the association.

Juby has actively created an online presence for his state association, working with a webpage as well as a large e-mail newsletter system. Currently, Juby has a list of over 2,400 e-mail addresses, including club directors and individuals who have signed up for the information. He regularly sends e-mails to these people to keep them up to date with the state association and wrestling in Kansas. In addition, the state’s webpage (www.usawks.com) has a large and loyal following, providing extensive information to the wrestling community in the state.

“We have a great organization in Kansas,” said Juby. “We have many individuals who are active on the club and state levels, and willing to help and promote the sport.”

Juby was a high school wrestler, and has coached on the club level. Two of his sons wrestled on the high school level, and have graduated. His youngest son is a wrestler now on the high school level. His wife Kathy serves as the state membership director.