Dear Wrestling Fans,

My Dad is Dean Sheets April 27th he will turn 80 years old. He is the coach for the DeSoto Kids Wrestling Team. We are holding a card shower for him this year. If anyone would like to send him a card I know he will get a kick out of it. Now he is not a computer person just remember the Pony express was how he use to get mail (no just kidding). You can send a card to him at 17787 Cantrell Rd. Linwood Ks. 66052.
Let me tell you a little about him. This past year was him 43rd year coaching kids wrestling. And he has only missed one State Tournament since it started which was 40 years ago when I was born. Of course I as two weeks late and now he won't let me forget it.
My Dad did not have wrestling when he was in high school. When he got out of the Navy he went to K-State. He walked onto the Football team but he wasn't dedicated to practice they packed his things an sent him packing. So next he tried out for wrestling of course he still wasn't dedicated to practice he was a college guy doing college guy stuff(Party). They packed his bags and said hit the road. But he begged and pleaded and promised he would stay with it. That was 1952. After that he stayed out and kept his promise.
In all of his matches through out all his years he has never been pinned he takes great pride in that. He even tells a story about a Hvy Weight match at Cornell. K-State did not have a heavy weight wrestler at this meet coach knew they were going to loose points so he asked for someone to step up and wrestle this guy well of course Dean steps up he weighed 140 or so they put everyones sweats on him and jumped in the shower he still weighed only 160. He went out onto tha mat he did not win but by God he gave this gut th scare of his life. Dean almost pinned him.
He takes pride in never being pinned but he takes pride in teaching kids spotsmenship. I was asked this year how my Dad runs his practice. He gets these kids attention by seeming to be a mean old man but then he gets down on the kids level eye to eye and teaches the bacis and lets them know he cares win or lose that wrestler is the most important person at that moment.
As we celebrate Deans 80th Birthday on April 27th. We celebrate a man who has devoted over half his life to the sport of wrestling and promoting good sportsmenship to thousands of kids who have grown up and have become great men and women in the sport of life.
So if you would like to send a card to him feel free he would love it. Dean Sheets 17787 Cantrell Rd Linwood Ks 66052

"Mean Dean" is the man. He is part of my earliest wrestling memories. I remember him from when I was in 6 and under. . .his purple suit. . .coaching for Linwood. He still looks like he is in his 50's. His grip is second only to Dan Hodge. Happy birthday Dean! You are an icon in my wrestling career, and I will remember you for as long as I live.

Eric Akin

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Happy Birthday Dean! You are true wrestling enthusiast and no one is in it more for the kids than you. When we moved to DeSoto the first thing we did was sign Ryne up under Coach Dean. He still has fond memories of your practices in the little gym at the vacated grade school. You are awesome!!

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Make sure you get those cards in the mail!
(We love this guy!)

My Dad was very pleased and wants to thank everyone that sent him cards. I have dinner with him and my family on Saturday and he still looks like he is ready to step out on the mat.

Thank you to everyone.

Jeff Sheets