Augsburg Wrestling Dominance: Inside the Championship Legacy with Coach Tony Valek on Episode 301

Airey Bros.'s Radio

Join Airey Bros Radio as we dive deep into the world of NCAA Division III wrestling with Coach Tony Valek, head coach of Augsburg University’s powerhouse wrestling team. Discover the secrets behind their back-to-back national championships (2023, 2024) and the intense rivalry known as the "Battle of the Bergs" with Wartburg College. Coach Valek shares his insights on creating a winning culture, developing athletes both academically and athletically, and the unique challenges of coaching at a top-tier Division III school. If you’re a fan of college wrestling, especially Division III, this episode is a must-listen!🔥

Topics Include:

• Augsburg's wrestling history 🏆
• Building a championship culture 🥇
• Challenges of recruiting in Division III 📋
• The legendary “Battle of the Bergs” against Wartburg 🤼‍♂️
• The rise of Augsburg's wrestlers 💪

Don't miss out on this exclusive interview with one of the most successful coaches in college wrestling today!


Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
Rich and Jimi Airey introduce Coach Tony Valek, head coach of the legendary Augsburg University wrestling team, and discuss their shared love for wrestling.

3:03 - What is an Auggi?
Coach Valek explains the origin of Augsburg's mascot and why their wrestling team is known as the Auggies.

5:01 - Augsburg Wrestling’s Legacy
Coach Valek takes us through Augsburg’s wrestling history and its prominence as a Division III powerhouse, sharing insights from their recent national championships.

10:00 - The Battle of the Berg. The epic rivalry between Augsburg and Wartburg College, known as the “Battle of the Bergs.” Coach Valek discusses the significance of this dual meet and how it prepares his team for the national stage.

25:02 - Challenges in Recruiting
What does it take to recruit top-level athletes to a Division III program? Coach Valek shares the difficulties of recruiting, balancing academics, and attracting student-athletes to Minneapolis.

37:30 - Training Philosophy
Coach Valek discusses Augsburg’s training methods, focusing on keeping athletes healthy, motivated, and peaking at the right time.

45:50 - Creating a Team Culture
The secret behind Augsburg's success lies in its culture. Coach Valek explains how the team builds a winning environment through strong relationships and retaining top talent.

57:22 - Final Thoughts
Coach Valek shares his final thoughts on what it takes to maintain success at Augsburg and what’s next for the team.