Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion High School Loss of a Wrestling Family Member

Former South High head coach David Nigg's mother "Grandma Nigg" passed away this morning in her home. Many of you may not know her well, however, this woman was one of the sharpest and biggest fans of wrestling I have ever witnessed. She rarely ever missed a wrestling meet that her son David was a part of.

I remember her sitting in the stands of every tournament keeping track of matches and team points. Even this year, as she was near eighty years old, I was able to go to her for updates on brackets and team points at the state wrestling tournament.

This was trully an amazing woman who was a joy to be around at all times. Not too mention she raised a man like David Nigg. She will be deeply missed in the Wichita South wrestling community.


God Bless,

Versa May Nigg

Nigg, Versa May, 77, farmer's wife and former Yale's Gift and China wedding consultant, died Friday, May 26, 2006. Recitation of the Rosary: 7:00 p.m., Monday and Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, both at St. Jude Catholic Church, 3030 N. Amidon. Survivors: Michael (Mary Jo) Nigg, David (Terri) Nigg and daughter, Cathy (Brad) Knott all of Wichita; sisters, Maxine Nicks of Maize and Bertha Woodard of Augusta; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Memorial: St. Jude Church Memorial Fund. A guest book is available at Cochran Mortuary .

Arrangements by Cochran Mortuary.
Published in the Wichita Eagle from 5/27/2006 - 5/28/2006.

Versa Nigg was the first lady of City League wrestling and only on rare occasions missed a City League Dual or tournament involving her son David with David either competing while wrestling for Dee Gard at Wichita Heights or coaching at South.

Current Wichita South High wrestling coach Mike Church Jr. and Wichita Northwest coach Eric Pritchard can recall Versa opening her home prior to Regionals and the State Tournament for the mandatory wrestling team sleep overs at the farm, with the fireplace blazing in the basement in order for Coach Nigg to monitor the wrestlers weight and ensure the wrestler was not over and more importantly able to provide transportation for the underprivileged wrestlers to the tournament(s).

Versa was such a class act a very active poster on these forums did not know Versa and her son Mike were sitting directly behind him at a dual team tournament earlier this past season when the individual made a derogatory comment regarding Coach Nigg and why his son did not attend Wichita South, not knowing the lady sitting behind him was Coach Nigg's mother. Older brother Mike was going to say something to the dad but Versa reached over and touching Mike's wrist while smiling shook her head no.

Versa will be missed by many but not forgotten!

Great lady with a huge heart. Any former/current South High wrestler is saddened by this loss. She was not only our #1 fan but a grandmother to us all.