Former Culver, Rochester coach Hummel dies at 74

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Dale Hummel, the former Culver and Rochester wrestling coach who later opened a computer store in Rochester, died Saturday. He was 74.

A published obituary said he was “surrounded by his loving family” when he died.

Hummel coached at Culver from 1975-89 before coming to Rochester.

He coached football, tennis and baseball at Culver in addition to wrestling. He came to Culver as the school started its football program and later became the head coach in 1986. His teams posted a 1-26 record in three years.

After his stay at Culver, he moved to Rochester, where he was also an assistant track coach working with discus and shot put throwers. He also helped the football coaching staff with statistics.

Hummel also coached wrestling at Northridge and Shelbyville high schools before coming to Culver. He started Northridge’s wrestling program and helped start Shelbyville’s football program.

Hummel also served as a Marshall County Sheriff's Deputy, worked as an emergency medical technician, assisted with the water patrol along Lake Maxinkuckee and opened That Computer Place in Rochester.

He was a 1966 Penn High School and 1970 Ball State University grad. He later earned a master’s degree from IUPUI.

He is survived by Susan, his wife of 56 years; sons Derek, Damon and Dustin; as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Damon Hummel is the only three-time wrestling state placer in Rochester history, finishing second in 1992 and 1993 and third in 1994 and compiling a 139-6 record. He also qualified for state in track in the discus twice and the shot put once.

He later played football at Ball State and is a member of the Rochester High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

A celebration of life will start at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street, Rochester. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.