Eric Keller, Director of Wartburg College Wrestling
Photo taken by Wartburg Athletics
This week I took a look behind the sport with UNI Alumni and Wartburg Wrestling Coach, Eric Keller, as he talks about how mental health plays a role into the sport of wrestling.
Keller started his collegiate wrestling career at the University of Northern Iowa, where he wrestled all throughout college and later became a coach. 1 year into his coaching career, Keller got a job at Wartburg College where he has been a men’s wrestling coach for the last 24 years. Just 3 years ago, he gained the title as the director of wrestling for Wartburg College.
“It’s such a unique sport…so individualized.”
Keller explains that wrestling itself comes with many challenges. Not only are you competing on the mat by yourself, but as a wrestler you have to maintain your weight throughout the entire season. Whether it’s a body image struggle or a bad weight cut, wrestlers are constantly expected to perform their best, no matter the outside factors.
“It’s probably the main side of the sport that most average fans or people don’t get.”
Eric Keller, Wartburg Men’s Wrestling Coach
Photo taken by Wartburg Athletics
“For us as coaches, our goal is to make sure that we have a true, loving relationship with our guys.”
Keller talks about how important it is for his wrestlers (and all athletes) to have the support they need when they are having a rough week. Especially for college athletes, there are so many factors that could be taking a toll on someones mental health, whether that be school work, relationships, family, etc. Although an athlete may be struggling, they still have to be on top of their game when it comes to their performance. As a coach, their job isn’t just to make sure their athletes win their matches. Their job is to take care of their athletes as a whole.
“There’s a lot that goes into putting your foot on that line on a Friday night, and being at your best.”
Though the wrestling season has come to an end for Wartburg this past weekend, Keller continues to strive to support his athletes in whatever they may need. To hear more of Eric Keller’s thoughts on wrestling mental health, head to the YouTube link at the top of this article!
Hear about mental health from Wartburg wrestler, Alex Crawford:
