Long-time Bears' wrestling head coach Mike McCarty passed away on February 13 at the age of 77. He coached the Bears' grapplers for 23 years and accumulated 150 career dual meet victories.

He was the head coach for the wrestling program at Missouri State for 23 of its first 26 seasons. He missed one season between 1965 and 1989 to complete his doctorate at the University of Missouri. He was named MIAA Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1981 and coached five NCAA Division I qualifiers and five NCAA Division II All-Americans.

He was inducted into the Missouri Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999 and coached 19 individual conference champions during his tenure with the Bears.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 18 at 2:30 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. Because of Mike's love for animals in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Humane Society.