Manchester Wrestling Coach, Steve Vlcek, nominated as regional coach of the year
Vlcek is described as “inspirational” by many of his wrestlers as well as wresting parents.
There aren’t many photos of wrestling coach Steve Vlcek by himself. He always seems to be surrounded by a large group of “his” wrestlers. Here, he congratulates a regional finalist.
Behind every great team is a great coach.
And Manchester High School wrestling coach Steve Vlcek has been recognized again this year as a “great coach.”
The Michigan Wrestling Coaches Association has nominated eight regional coaches of the year; from that group one will be selected to receive the 2018 State Coach of the Year honors. All regional nominees are selected by their fellow coaches.
Vlcek, who has been coaching for nearly three decades in Manchester, has inspired many young wrestlers to achieve their dreams.
“Coach Vlcek makes us all better,” says wrestler Phoenix Waters. “He doesn’t accept mediocre performance or excuses. He has a certain expectation for each of us and he pushes us until we get there … and when we do, he pushes the bar higher.”
Ask the coach himself, though, and you’ll get a humble answer.
“What means the most to me is that our program is being noticed,” he said of his award. “We have a good program here in Manchester; we’re blessed with good kids and great families. We’ve also had really good teams for the past 10-15 years, so we’ve been able to keep the program going. That’s what’s really amazing.
“This award doesn’t belong just to me–it’s for all the coaches; and for the whole program. It’s everyone’s award.”
With the wrestling program going so well this year–District Champions for the 12th year in a row, 14 regional-level wrestlers, and 10 state level qualifiers–Vlcek says that the program is not just his own, but also credits the junior level programs that start out the youngest wrestlers with solid skills and family support.
Parent Stacy Fry says of the wrestling program, “Our kids are not just joining a team, they are joining a family. Coach Vlcek is at the heart of that. He not only takes an interest in his wrestlers but in everyone the wrestler brings with them. He is a man I am proud to have in all my kids’ lives.”
Michelle Bunn adds, “Coach Vlcek is respected by so many and the backbone of our wrestling program. Our program is successful because of his interest in the high school wrestlers and down through the youth program. You will often find him attending his athletes’ other sports events as well.”
School board trustee Mike Austin said of Vlcek’s coaching: “He is a great mentor to the kids. Countless times I’ve seen former team members come up to him and tell him what’s going on with them since leaving school. It’s clear how important of a person he was in their lives. Whether the team wins or loses, he’s good for the kids. He also goes above and beyond in other ways … and he does it because he cares.
“As a school board member this is the type of coach I want. ”
Vlcek’s wrestlers are also very supportive of their coach. Grant Tungate, a junior wrestler who is one of the 10 qualified for state competition next weekend, says, “One of the most impactful things I could say is that Coach is like a father to me. He’s been with me coaching me up every since I can remember; all thirteen years of my wrestling career he’s been with me, teaching me important life lessons without even realizing it.
“I remember my first regional tournament as a freshman–I just got knocked out of the blood rounds, Coach walks up to me while I’m having a breakdown after my match and says something that (has) kept me motivated all of my high school career. It was, ‘Grant, this is what’s going to keep you going. This loss will make you hungry and next thing you know we will be seeing you on the podium in coming years, all you’ve gotta do is keep your head up and keep working.’ I couldn’t tell you how I was able to remember this exactly but this statement has kept me motivated to get to where I am today–finally a state qualifier on that podium just like he said.”
Regional champion and senior Reese Fry, a captain for this year’s wrestling team, calls Vlcek “an inspiration (who) really helps develop young wrestlers, pushing them to better themselves in life and on the mat.
“As a freshman, I was given a nickname by Coach Vlcek: ‘The Capuchin Monkey,’ that I now wear on my senior shirt with pride.”
Sophomore Simon Lato, a regional qualifier at 285#, puts it very simply: “He deserves it. He is the greatest coach ever; taking 10 guys to states–that is something.”
More kudos come from the parents of younger wrestlers as well. Mike and Wendy Guenther, say that Vlcek “has spent thousands of hours not only coaching the high school team but plays a major part in the success of both the middle school and youth programs.
“Our son Derek is only one of hundreds that have had the privilege of learning from Coach Vlcek and will forever respect and look up to him as a role model.”
Bruce Morgan, who doesn’t currently have a high school wrestler, says that his 12-year-old, 10-year-old, and 3-year old children “would do anything for (Vlcek.)
“We were at the Myway tournament in Woodhaven last Sunday and a gentlemen from Hudson was there watching his grandkids wrestle,” Morgan added. “He stopped us just to tell us how much he loved our high school program, and specifically Coach Vlcek.”
The Guenthers summed it up well: “The way the staff and student body–as well as the entire community–supports the wrestling program, says it all. He should be proud,” they conclude.
Despite all these kudos, Vlcek continues to insist the honors don’t belong solely to him.
“Things are going the right way this year,” he says. “We have 10 qualifiers and although we’ve done that twice before, this year is special because we have five sophomores and two juniors qualify for states. That shows we’ve got a great future coming up. Our seniors are great, but this will be their last time. We still have a strong team coming up for the next couple of years.
“I’m really blessed to have the program, the kids, and the parents that we have.”
Still, he is justifiably proud of his team and excited by the prospects as this season draws to a close.
“State tournament is always exciting,” he says with enthusiasm. “The grand march, especially, is such a nice reward for the hard work these kids have done all year long. It’s always a great experience. I tell the kids, you never know if you’ll get back here–so soak up all the experiences, every minute. Enjoy everything, every experience.
“I’m looking forward to a few of our kids doing very well.”
The personal touch is one of Coach Vlcek’s hallmarks. Here, he congratulates a wrestler on a job well done.
Photos courtesy of Stacy Fry.
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