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The United States Olympic Education Center is nestled on the campus of Northern Michigan University.  For over two decades, the center has helped young athletes, like wrestler Spencer Mango, achieve their dream of competing with the best in the world.

"It was a crucial decision, I guess, with me coming here," said Mango.  "It definitely put me in a great position to come to the Olympics in '08."

Mango placed 8th in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and his experience in Marquette was key to his success.

"Olympic athletes have a somewhat normal life here at Marquette--they go to school, they make friends outside of their sport, they have a life beyond their sport--whereas some athletes at the other training centers are so focused on training for the Olympics that that's all they do.  They don't go to school, they don't have jobs, they don't really have a life beyond their sport," said Jeff Kleinschmidt, Director of the USOEC.

And it's not only been wrestlers at the USOEC, it's also been weightlifters, boxers, like former world champion Vernon Forrest, and speed skaters, like Shani Davis.

It all started back in 1965, when MNU received land that school officials wanted to use as a training ground for the Olympics.  In 1980, 200 people from Marquette formed a group to support the idea, and about five years later, the state of Michigan set the project in motion.

Initially, the USOEC athletes were funded by the state, but the program directors realized additional money was needed.  Now the student-athletes also get scholarships.

"It's been a win-win in many cases for everybody, that athletes get the opportunity to have some of their schooling paid for.  Historically there hasn't been a lot of support for the athletes unless you're a big winner, a gold medalist," said Tony Tollefson, Academic Coordinator at the USOEC.  "This allows for people who are on their way to that elite level to get some support while they're pursuing those goals."

The USOEC has since given 525 athletes scholarship opportunities nationwide.  Hundreds more are likely on the way, and like Spencer Mango, they'll further their education at the USOEC while pursuing their Olympic dreams.