Following his removal, former head wrestling coach Ron Mirikitani files grievance against STLCC-Meramec
Collin Reischman
– Managing Editor –
Ron Mirikitani, former head coach of the STLCC-Meramec wrestling team, will be spending his first wrestling season in 39 years as a bystander.
Mirikitani has been removed as head coach for the Meramec men’s wrestling team due to “violations of previously imposed sanctions by the National Junior College Athletic Association regarding the wrestling department,” according to Pat Matreci of the STLCC District Community Relations Office.
“It’s important to remember that Ron Mirikitani is still a full-time faculty member at Meramec. However, he will no longer be serving as the head coach of the wrestling team,” said Matreci.
The decision to remove Mirikitani was made by Meramec officials following three violations of NJCAA policy from fall of 2008 until late summer of 2009.
“We reported our violations to the NJCAA because we had an ethical and moral obligation to do so,” said Stephen Petersen, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs. “There were three separate violations: one occurred in the fall, one occurred in the spring, and the last occurred late last summer, a few weeks ago. All of the violations were related to the coaching staff in some way and therefore the responsibility of the head coach,” said Petersen.
Mirikitani has since filed a grievance with the college. While Mirikitani would not elaborate on the details of his grievance, he stated he “absolutely” wanted to continue as the head coach of Meramec wrestling.
Upon reporting the most recent summer violation, Meramec recommended its own sanction to the NJCAA, in keeping with NJCAA policy.
“We felt that if we didn’t remove our head coach that they would remove him and possibly impose further sanctions, like placing the entire wrestling program on probation. Our primary concern is for the student athletes, and we felt as though our only choice was to recommend to remove our head coach, or face more serious consequences that would punish the students,” said Petersen.
The NJCAA refused to comment on the story, citing that they could not release the details of a sanction against a school to the public.
“It’s a very sad thing. Ron is an exemplary coach and it’s regrettable that things had to happen this way,” said Petersen.
Mirikitani has been recognized as both a coach and a wrestler throughout his career. In 1987, Mirikitani was inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2007, Mirikitani was named the NJCAA Man of the Year as well as being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Anthony Saulle, Meramec wrestler, said that he wanted Mirikitani back. “He’s the innocent one, if anything. We need our head coach back.”
Mirikitani, the all-time national junior college career dual meets wins leader, with more than 450 wins.
“The day it happened, we had a team meeting [with Ron], but they wouldn’t give us all the details. It’s kind of frustrating,” said Seth Horner, Meramec wrestler.
Wrestling practices will continue as scheduled despite Mirikitani’s absence. Former assistant coach Nick Vogt is serving as interim head coach.
