At the conclusion of the individual state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee presents the Ward E. Brown Mental Attitude Award to an outstanding senior participant in the wrestling state tournament. The recipient of this award, who is nominated by his principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in wrestling.
Beginning in 1985, the award was named in honor of Mr. Brown, who served as the fourth commissioner of the IHSAA from 1976 until 1983. In 1983, the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals Tournament moved to Market Square Arena. Previously, from 1966-71, the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association presented the Harold F. Mumby Award to the state meet’s outstanding wrestler, in honor of the longtime Bloomington High School coach. From 1972 to 1984, The IHSAA Executive Committee sponsored the Harold F. Mumby Award for Mental Attitude.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA corporate partner, presents a $1,000 scholarship to the school in the name of the recipient.
| Year |
Recipient |
School |
| 1963-64 |
Rex Ryker |
Crawfordsville |
| 1964-65 |
John (Randy) Goss |
South Bend Clay |
| 1965-66 |
Larry Smith |
Carmel |
| 1966-67 |
Mickey Janes |
Anderson |
| 1967-68 |
Dale Barnard |
Franklin Central |
| 1968-69 |
Warren Gamble
John Smith |
Gary Mann
Franklin Central |
| 1969-70 |
Henry Clouse |
Franklin Central |
| 1970-71 |
Jim Cornwell |
Bloomington |
| 1971-72 |
John Hobbs |
Indpls. Shortridge |
| 1972-73 |
Norman Hudson |
Manchester |
| 1973-74 |
Bud Palmer |
Muncie Northside |
| 1974-75 |
Vincent Keszei |
South Bend Jackson |
| 1975-76 |
James Runyon |
Elwood |
| 1976-77 |
Nelson Almond |
Fort Wayne Elmhurst |
| 1977-78 |
Mark Harbold |
Valparaiso |
| 1978-79 |
Ron Baker |
Yorktown |
| 1979-80 |
Frank Patacsil |
Logansport |
| 1980-81 |
Thomas Doyle |
Franklin |
| 1981-82 |
Glenn Glogas |
Jay County |
| 1982-83 |
Fred Johnson |
Greenfield-Central |
| 1983-84 |
David Locke |
Delta |
| 1984-85 |
Craig Campbell |
Delta |
| 1985-86 |
Lance Lantz |
Wawasee |
| 1986-87 |
Terry Kissel |
Gibson Southern |
| 1987-88 |
Matt Morin |
Owen Valley |
| 1988-89 |
Matt Koontz |
Whitko |
| 1989-90 |
Eddie Palmer |
Huntington North |
| 1990-91 |
Jon McClain |
Western Boone |
| 1991-92 |
Tony Roush |
Eastbrook |
| 1992-93 |
Matthew Armentano |
Evansville Mater Dei |
| 1993-94 |
Josh Hutchens |
Plymouth |
| 1994-95 |
Tony Currie |
Adams Central |
| 1995-96 |
Derrick Miller |
Eastside |
| 1996-97 |
Jared Williams |
Evansville Harrison |
| 1997-98 |
Erik LeBeau |
Fort Wayne Concordia |
| 1998-99 |
Ben Faurote |
Bellmont |
| 1999-00 |
Marcus Schontube |
Lowell |
| 2000-01 |
J.T. Young |
Bloomington South |
| 2001-02 |
Jason Cook |
Valparaiso |
| 2002-03 |
John Sheets |
Bellmont |
| 2003-04 |
Blake Maurer |
Evansville Mater Dei |
| 2004-05 |
Casey Caldwell |
Union County |
| 2005-06 |
Jeff Papiernik |
Fort Wayne Snider |
| 2006-07 |
David Zimmer |
Angola |
| 2007-08 |
Eric Galka |
Hobart |
| 2008-09 |
Taylor March |
East Noble |
| 2009-10 |
Francisco Porras |
Hobart |
| 2010-11 |
Drake Stein |
Princeton |