GET READY DAN GABLE.....

Dan Gable is in for a couple of interesting days next week.  Friday night he is reconnecting with hundreds of his former athletes in a roast-party type of an event where emotions will be high....and then Saturday evening, the University of Iowa is planning a celebration for their former coach.   For those of  you have never heard of the man they call "Dan", it's a shame.  He is the "poster person" of the sport of wrestling.  And no, I don't mean professional wrestling.  Ask any grade schooler, high schooler, collegian, freestyle or Greco-Roman wrestler who comes to mind when you mention the face of the sport....Gable is front and center.

In February, Iowa officials released the following information on next week's happening.
 
"A retirement celebration for the University of Iowa’s Dan Gable has been planned for June 4. The Hall of Fame coach will be honored with a reception and banquet at the Coralville Marriott Hotel.  The reception is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and a program filled with memories and speakers to follow.  Gable is considered by most to be the best collegiate wrestling coach in history. He was Iowa’s head coach for 21 years and compiled a 355-21-5 record that included 15 national team titles."

Short and sweet, the University release falls short of depicting Gable's fame.  He was an undefeated 3-time state champion during his high school days at Waterloo West High School in Waterloo, Iowa.  After his prep days, Gable attended Iowa State University where he compiled a 181-1 record.  His lone loss occurred in the final match of his college career (13-11) at the hands of Larry Owings of Washington in 1970.  That loss would later fuel the ferocity and determination he would exhibit as a competitor at the Olympic level.  En route to winning the Olympic Gold Medal at the 1972 Olympics, Gable did not allow one point to be scored upon him.  The following video will take you back to his final match of those Games where ABC broadcaster Frank Gifford sang his praises over and over again.  Ruslan Ashraliev of Russia provided the competition in the 149.5 pound weight class. 

In the next blog, I will show you some other sides to this legend.  Some call Gable a demi-God...but I'm not sure he's all that comfortable with that notion.  He just outworks, out thinks and out prepares others.  More to come....

Thanks for reading,

John