Joe Nix: The Father of Mesa Wrestling

Did Mesa Community College have wrestling?

It's a question often asked by MCC fans who come across the few remaining references to wrestling at the college.

The answer? Yes — and not only did Mesa have a wrestling program, it was a very successful one.

Much of that success is credited to Joe Nix, a Mesa Hall of Fame coach who introduced the sport to the then-new college in the late 1960s. While his name may not be widely recognized by today's T-Bird fans, it carries weight in wrestling circles. Nix is a member of both the Arizona and National Wrestling Halls of Fame.

He joined MCC in 1966, during the college's formative years. Within just one year, he coached his first All-American: John Long, who earned the honor in 1967 and again later in his career.

In total, Nix coached 11 All-Americans during his time at Mesa. Among them were Mike Medchill and Bob Pomplun, who both won state titles and went on to claim national championships in 1969 — a major highlight in the program's history.

Nix's contributions extended beyond the wrestling mat. Together with MCC president Dr. Theo Heap and legendary track and field coach Carvel Jackson, he helped establish the college's Health Improvement Center, which was built entirely through donated funds.

Sadly, much of Mesa's wrestling history has been lost over time. However, you can still explore what remains by clicking this link: Mesa Wrestling History.