An accomplished collegiate wrestler, as well as a traveled coach, Derek Heckel begins his second season with the UNC Pembroke wrestling program in 2021-22 as an assistant coach for the Braves.
A native of Ulysses, Kan., Heckel competed for two seasons (2008-10) at Neosho County Community College in his home state where he put together an illustrious junior college career that included an all-American award on the heels of a fourth-place finish at the 2009 NJCAA National Championships. A standout in the classroom as well, he also raked in academic all-America laurels for the NJCAA that season as well.
Following a brief stint as a student-athlete at Midland in Fremont, Neb., Heckel made the long trek to Brisbane, Australia, where he served as a wrestling coach at Integrated Mixed Martial Arts, and then took on a stint as wrestling and MMA instructor at Phuket Top Team in Thailand where he also delved into the martial art of Muay Thai.
Heckel has earned a host of certifications throughout his world travel, including those in Padi Rescue Diving, Static Line Skydiving, BSAC Diving (BSAC Dive leader), taxidermy, outdoor survival skills and leatherworking. A former high school state champion in his native Kansas, he also has expertise in judo, jiu jitsu, arboriculture, and aerial rescue techniques for rope systems.
Heckel is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in biology from UNCP.
Updated: July 2021
