HAWK... just like with Rick Rude, I saw you here in Minnesota, many years ago, but didn't take the opportunity to say hello... or goodbye.

I saw you at The Gym a few times, and I will never forget the day you followed me around in there while we trained - from the dumbbells, to the drinking fountain, to the calf raise machines - but I got too shy and ended up hiding behind the front desk...hahahahaha! Sorry, Mike. I was just a kid.

I also remember the evening I heard you talking to your buddies up in the old lounge at The Gym, but didn't have the nerve to walk in, so I just stood out in the hallway, thinking, "wow... his voice really IS like that!"

The TBS camera crew for WCW caught me back in '93 in Daytona Beach, cheering you on while you squared off with Rude, following Animal's lead, yelling "L.O.D.!" Man, you guys made those years something to remember.

I will miss seeing you, but I know you are in an awesome place... and what a rrrrrrusssshhh to be able to live there forever! One day I'll be able to finally meet you there... and tell you I heard all about you from Neal, all the stories that were so funny. Until then, Mike, be blessed by God's incredible presence...

I heard about Mike's death on Sunday, Oct. 19th from one of the employees at The Gym in Plymouth, where Hawk used to train. What is it about all these Minnesota wrestlers, from the same generation (both in their lives and ring careers), passing away within years - even months - of each other? They all grew up together, trained at my gym, and somehow ended up never coming back after going down south (like to Florida)... ceasing to breathe in their 40's??

The sad part is that it is getting to the point where each one is another name being added to a steadily growing list, and it is almost not even a shock anymore to hear of one more. The question in my mind is, why is it happening to them now, and what will protect others from this epidemic of young deaths striking the wrestlers I grew up with??

Article on Mike Hegstrand's death in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune

More pages on Hawk coming here soon, including memories from those who knew him

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