MMA Star Chandler Still Inspires at Northwest

Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 West Side Leader 19 West Side Leader MMA star Chandler still inspires at Northwest By Michael Shaw portunities we could For The Leader have.” “I felt in my heart I The Chandlers ichael Chandler’s face is the first also supported North- wouldn’t be satisfied thing athletes see when enter- west wrestling. unless I tried to Ming the Northwest High School Michael Sr. wrestle at the highest wrestling room. helped run the North- The framed picture of Chandler, west youth program level.” taken at the awards podium of the NCAA for years. He and Bet- Division I wrestling championships, is ty helped host AAU meant to inspire and motivate the cur- tournaments at the Like the Wilhelms, Smith said Chan- rent crop of Lion grapplers, not vener- high school. In all, dler epitomizes the Missouri program. ate Chandler as some kind of idol. But Ron Wilhelm says the “He lives our philosophy every day,” when talking to Chandler’s high school Chandlers have raised the Tiger coach said. coaches, the tremendous popularity of thousands of dollars the former Lion standout, University of for the program. ‘It’s not the end of the world’ Missouri all-American and current Bel- “Betty and Mike lator Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) star is Sr. are two of the It’s Nov. 2, 2013. Chandler, the Bel- unmistakable. greatest people I’ve lator MMA lightweight world champion, In addition to the picture, the 2004 ever met,” Ron Wil- has just lost a controversial split decision Northwest graduate’s wrestling shoes and helm said. “You can to Eddie Alvarez in Long Beach, Calif. fighter gloves are on display in the halls Michael Chandler reacts after picking up one of his 100 career just tell why Michael His face is bloodied; his perfect record of his alma mater. wins at Mizzou. (Photo courtesy Mizzou athletics) turned out so good.” and title are gone. Many thought they Simply put, Northwest High School shouldn’t be. loves Michael Chandler. Success at Mizzou The Wilhelms were watching the “The man has just lived a life of fight back home. They try to catch the character on the mat, off the mat, how he Despite finishing second at 152 broadcast every time Chandler fights. treats people – it’s just his life,” said Bob pounds at the state tournament in his Other Chandler faithful meet at the Buf- Wilhelm, who along with his twin broth- senior year, Chandler’s wrestling future falo Wild Wings in Fenton on fight nights, er, Ron, coaches the Northwest wrestling was uncertain. Ron Wilhelm said. team. “He’s the poster boy of how our As one of the best-known wrestlers “We were going crazy,” he added program wants to be represented.” in the state and a member of the North- about the Alvarez fight. “We were just Ron Wilhelm agrees with his brother. west honor roll for academics, there was heartbroken when the judges gave that “He’s definitely the pride of North- little doubt Chandler would fulfill his decision.” west High School,” he said. parents’ dream of going to college. Chandler, however, remains diplo- He received full-ride scholarships matic about the outcome. The talented freshman from Missouri Valley College, McKen- “You take a step back, you learn dree University and the University of from it and at the end of the day it’s not The first turning point in Michael Central Missouri. But the offers from the end of the world,” said Chandler, Chandler’s athletic career came in 2001 the big-time wrestling schools Chandler who now lives and trains in San Diego. at a high school sectional wrestling tour- wanted to attend just weren’t coming. “The greatest fighters in the world have nament. Chandler, then a freshman, was So Chandler took a leap of faith and multiple losses. I knew eventually I was wrestling a senior who had already beaten enrolled at Mizzou. He walked on to the going to end up losing. I never go into a him multiple times that season. The Wil- wrestling team knowing that with a five- fight expecting to lose. I’m just excited helms had thrown Chandler into varsity digit tuition bill he would need to earn a to keep doing what I love and get back.” competition that season, knowing his tal- scholarship. He added that his large support group ent, even though he was less experienced The freshman redshirted for the has helped him get over the loss. While than some other ninth graders. Tigers and immersed himself in the pro- current and former Lion wrestlers catch Bob Wilhelm knew he had something gram. Missouri head coach Brian Smith broadcasts of his bouts, Chandler’s par- special. took notice. ents, coaches and handlers accompany “He doesn’t care who he has to Michael Chandler in MMA fighting mode. “From Day One he was just a ball him to every fight. His father is the one wrestle, what the situation is,” Bob said. of energy,” Smith said. “He just attached who walks him out to the ring, a constant “It wasn’t like he was this bona-fide little Michael Sr. as a laborer and union carpen- himself to the best guys on the team. He reminder of who he is and where he came league star at all. His mentality was, ‘I’m ter and Betty as a waitress and in other adapted to his surrounding and his sur- from. going to make myself into a wrestler.’ odd jobs, always two at a time. rounding was damn tough at that time.” He wants people to know, especially That’s what he did.” “They never wanted that (life) for Chandler won 100 times at Missouri, the students at Northwest, that anything The Wilhelms noted that Chandler’s their kids,” Michael Jr. said. “They placed as high as fifth in the NCAA tour- is possible. early success and a fire like they had never wanted us to be in sports, be involved in nament and was also named an all-Amer- “When you live in Jefferson County seen propelled him deep into sectionals. any kind of activity.” ican. He also earned a business degree at you’re not around anybody with a silver “I somehow went to state that year After they had Michael, his brothers the school. Looking back, Chandler said spoon,” he said. “You’re around blue when I wasn’t really supposed to,” Chan- Matthew and Eric and his sister, Danielle, the decision to walk on at Mizzou was collar people – the early-to-rise, late-to- dler said. “That (sectional match) was the Chandlers were determined to give one of the best he’s ever made. bed, just grind (it out) kind of people,” one of the beginnings that set my career.” them the opportunities they didn’t have “I could have been a national cham- Chandler said. “It’s great to go back and After that it was up to Chandler’s – namely, a college education and sports. pion in a smaller division (school),” he see these kids that walk the same halls parents to instill in their son the qualities “I can count the days on one hand I said. “I could have happily lived with that I did. People might look at what I needed to succeed at a high level in one saw my dad sleep in past 5 a.m.,” Michael that but I wouldn’t have felt the fulfill- accomplished and think, ‘I wish I could of the toughest of all sports. Jr. said. “My mom always worked two ment I felt at Mizzou. I felt in my heart do that. I wish I could be him. He must Michael’s mom and dad, of High jobs. They did everything they could to I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I tried to have something I don’t.’ Really, I didn’t. Ridge, both began working in their teens: try and support us and give us the best op- wrestle at the highest level.” I walked the same halls as these kids.”.

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