WRCOs Phil Nee pays tribute to Ken Manning

Ithaca graduate David Kenneth Manning, Jr passed away recently.

From his teaching and coaching careers to his work with his broadcasting company, WRCO had many years of positive interaction with Ken.

After graduating from Ithaca High School in 1974, where he enjoyed success as a three sport athlete and took on officer roles in various clubs, Ken knew education was the career for him. He earned an associate’s degree from UWC-Richland, a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from UW-Platteville, a master’s in school counseling from UW-Platteville, and a second master’s degree in educational administration from Winona State University.

Ken began his teaching career as a vocational agriculture instructor at Lancaster High School in the fall of 1979. He also took on the duties of assistant wrestling coach.

In 1981, Ken began his 12-year stint as the head coach of the Flying Arrows, capturing two WIAA state team runner-up trophies (1989 & 1993) and a team state championship in 1990. Wanting to put his counseling degree to work, Ken and his family moved to Westby in 1993, where he would serve as a high school guidance counselor and head wrestling coach. Ken elevated the Norsemen wrestling program, winning many conference and regional team titles. Westby qualified for the WIAA team state tournament in 2001, making Ken one of only a handful of Wisconsin high school wrestling coaches to lead two different schools to a team state appearance.

During his combined head coaching tenure at the two schools, Ken had 37 state qualifiers, 24 state place-winners, nine state finalists and five state champions. Ken’s accomplishments earned him a place in both the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association George Martin Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Seeking to serve the faculty and students at Westby High School in an even larger capacity, Ken moved into administration as an assistant principal, eventually rising to the role of principal.

He retired in 2013, hoping to spend more time with family and continue broadcasting area sporting events with his side business, Western Wisconsin Video Productions. After a few subbing assignments in the area, the Norwalk Ontario Wilton School District reeled Ken back into full-time work in 2019.

The past two school years were spent as the NOW Elementary principal. Ken cherished the opportunity to put his many years of experience to good use as a mentor to the wonderful students, faculty, and staff there.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Brookwood High School, 28861 WI-131, Ontario, WI. Pastor George Shick will officiate.

*Some information obtained from Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Westby.