Mike Chapman is the founder and former executive director of the International Wrestling Institute and Museum, now called the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. He is the author of 30 books, 17 of which are about wrestling. He has written over 700 columns on the sport of wrestling, with his work appearing in a dozen national magazines. He has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, Iowa Public Television, and A&E Network and has been featured in numerous documentaries on the sport. The former director of communications for USA Wrestling, Chapman has attended 46 NCAA wrestling tournaments, two Olympics, and three world championships.

Chapman has been named National Wrestling Writer of the Year five times and was co-winner of WIN magazine's Impact of the Year Award in 1999. He is a member of 10 halls of fame, including the AAU Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wresting Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2002, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in wrestling from the Cauliflower Alley Club. He is also the founder of WIN magazine and originated both the WIN Memorabilia Show and the Dan Hodge Trophy, considered by many the top award in collegiate wrestling.