Takedown Report

SIUE Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Larry Kristoff Passes Away

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE Athletics and the SIUE wrestling community mourns the passing of former Head Coach Larry Kristoff. He was 83.
Kristoff started, built and defined the SIUE wrestling program into a national powerhouse that included three consecutive NCAA Division II championships in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Larry Kristoff,” said SIUE wrestling Head Coach Daryl Thomas. “Larry touched so many lives, and the stories our alumni share are a testament to the person he was and how much he meant to those he coached. His legacy will live on through the people he inspired and his lasting impact on SIUE wrestling and the sport.”
“I had the pleasure of getting to know Coach Kristoff and his family over the last 14 years,” said former SIUE Head Coach and current Assistant Coach Jeremy Spates. “Getting to coach his grandson Max was special to me and SIUE wrestling. It is amazing to see what he did as an athlete and how he was able to translate that into his coaching career. He was an inspiration to his athletes and the people around him. His influence on SIUE and the Southern Illinois wrestling community will be missed but never forgotten.”
A Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Kristoff … more at … https://siuecougars.com/news/2026/11/3/siue-hall-of-fame-wrestling-coach-larry-kristoff-passes-away.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

November 12, 2026 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment