|
Dale Lewis |
Dale Lewis was a two-time NCAA champion at heavyweight for Oklahoma University, a two-time Olympian and a successful professional. But Dale took a strange path to greatness.
Born in 1935 and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he played football and basketball in high school but never wrestled. Entering the United States Army after high school, he discovered wrestling, and learned that he had a natural aptitude for the sport. In 1956, six months after he had started wrestling, Lewis earned a spot in Greco-Roman wrestling on the United States Olympic team that competed in Melbourne, Australia.
After discharge from the Army, he was offered a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma after earning a spot on the Sooner team. He was NCAA heavyweight champion in both 1960 and 1961, and won the AAU national freestyle title in 1961, defeating mos of the top amateur heavyweights in the nation. He made his second Olympic team in 1960.
Professionally, Lewis spent most of his career in Florida and won numerous regional titles, then ventured up to Canada late in his career. He wrestled as a pro for nearly two decades and died of leukemia on August 30, 1997.
November 22, 2007
Dan Gable Wrestling Museum will be closed for Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2007
LaPorte City Kids Tournament at Union High School in LaPorte City. Wrestling Museum will have gift shop booth set up throughout tournament.
December 16, 2007
Northern Iowa Night of Champions at the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum following the UNI versus Iowa State meet. All former Northern Iowa NCAA champions will be honored at the event. Everyone is welcome to attend.
|
2007 Inductees:
Other Years: Relevant Links:
|
July 14, 2007 - Red Bastien, Great Gama, Curt Hennig, Dale Lewis, and Steve Williams are inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Ted DiBiase received the Frank Gotch Award, Mike Chapman receives the Jim Melby Award, and Bill Murdock receives the Lou Thesz Award.
April 14, 2007 - Al Baxter, Tim Johnson, Gene Lybbert, Don Parker, Simon Roberts, Frank Santana, and Sherwyn Thorson are inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa
January 12, 2007 - The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum officially opened its doors to the public.
