Performance in Motion, Volume 5, Number 1, Spring 1997

Where Are They Now?
Dr. Gale Mikles

Gale Mikles retired from Michigan State in 1985 and now resides with Audrey, his wife of 50 years, in Sun Lakes, Arizona. In a phone interview, Dr. Mikles talked about his career at Michigan State, which began back in 1944 as a student, and then as a faculty member and administrator, and of his emeritus years.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gale came to Michigan State as a 16 year old to wrestle for the late Fendley Collins. The young farm boy enrolled as an Agriculture major with a Dairy specialty. When Mikles graduated in 1948, he had not only earned a degree, but also fame and respect as a national wrestling champion. He won NAAU and NCAA titles while wearing the Green and White. Had M.S.C., as it was known then, been in the Big Ten conference, Gale would have added several league crowns to his trophy case.

While at Michigan State, he also took a bride, became an assistant wrestling coach and earned a Master’s Degree in 1953. Dr. Randolph Webster and Dr. Henry Montoye advised and supervised Gale’s thesis, which was typed by his wife, Audrey. In August of 1958, Gale earned his Doctorate from George Peabody College for Teachers and returned to Michigan State in September to become Assistant Athletic Director under "Biggie" Munn.

As an Assistant to Director Munn, Mikles actually ran the Physical Education Department for Men, as in those days Athletics and Physical Education were under the same umbrella. When the split occurred in 1970, Gale became the Chair of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for both men’s and women’s programs and held the position until his retirement in 1985.

Asked what stands out about his tenure at the helm of our department, Gale quickly replied, "They were the growth years, the real golden years of physical education". Gale spoke with pride of his former faculty and the curriculum they developed. Names like Heusner, Seefeldt, VanHuss, Wessel, Reuschlein and Olson flew through the phone line as he asserted that Michigan State had the "best undergraduate physical education curriculum in the nation."

What does a former wrestling champion, department chair/faculty member and ultra-competitive paddleball player do in retirement? The swimming pool serves his physical fitness needs these days and takes some of the pressure off bad knees, caused by a lifetime of hard play. Gale and Audrey entertain their four children and 7 grandchildren and recently, in celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary, the entire Mikles clan went on a Caribbean cruise.

Gale and Audrey reside at 25801 S. Ribbonwood in Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248, for anyone wanting to drop them a line. As he prepared to hang up and have lunch, Gale asked that he be remembered to his many friends in the Michigan State community by sending his very best wishes. Well, everyone remembers you Gale, and we send our very best wishes to you and Audrey.