ST. LOUIS — Former Ranger wrestling coach Jim Koch was in critical condition at a St. Louis hospital on Saturday evening after being struck by a car Friday morning.
Koch was injured while in St. Louis for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, University of Wisconsin-Parkside spokesman John Mielke said Saturday.
The accident occurred while Koch was on his morning run. He reportedly suffered injuries to his head and back as a result of the impact, Mielke said, and was rushed to Saint Louis University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
He remained in critical condition as of 6:45 p.m., Saint Louis University Hospital spokeswoman Jaimie Sherman said.
A message was sent to members of the UW-Parkside community on Friday urging staff and students to keep Coach Koch in their thoughts.
Koch, who took over Parkside’s wrestling program at the age of 23 in the fall of 1970, retired from Parkside in 2011 after 41 years as a coach.
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