Wrestling roadtrip: Two must-see museums

June 30, 5:00 PMCollege Wrestling ExaminerMark Palmer

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the College Wrestling Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Entrance to the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute &
Museum, in downtown Waterloo, Iowa. (Photo from the museum's
website)

As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, many of us are making summer travel plans. If you’re into amateur wrestling, why not consider a wrestling-related roadtrip?

Across the United States there are a surprising number of wrestling museums, halls of fame and other must-see sites of interest for the sport's participants and supporters.

Here are two world-class wrestling halls of fame that are worth the trip, no matter where you live:

Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum. This facility is located in Waterloo, Iowa, a wrestling town if there ever was one. In fact, the museum is named for Waterloo native Dan Gable, who won all but one match as an Iowa State wrestler, brought home a gold medal in freestyle from the 1972 Munich Olympics, then had a stellar career as head coach at the University of Iowa from 1976-1997. No, the DGIWIM does NOT limit its focus to its namesake, but includes amateur wrestling displays that trace the history of the sport in photos, artwork, and one-of-a-kind collectibles.

In addition, there's the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco Hall of Champions, the Glen Brand Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Dan Gable Teaching Center (a wrestling room for demonstrations and instruction), a research library, a video theater, and a separate section on professional wrestling (with the primary focus on pros who have amateur wrestling backgrounds).

While you're in the hometown of Dan Gable, why not stop by Waterloo West High School where the legendary wrestler and coach built a perfect mat career for the Wahawks in the mid-1960s for another coaching legend, Bob Siddens. (Siddens' name graces the gym; Gable's adorns the new wrestling facility). The Wahawk Hall of Fame has been recently updated and expanded to include a bronze statue of Gable. Among the many WWHS wrestlers honored: Jim Harmon, Dale Anderson, Akeem Carter, and Mike VanArsdale. While in the neighborhood … drive by the white-frame house at 2241 Easley (across Baltimore from Waterloo West) where Dan Gable grew up. The house is no longer in the family and is NOT open to the public.

Interior of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in 
Stillwater, Oklahoma (Photo taken by author)

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum. Located on the edge of the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this facility's museum portion features extensive displays that trace the development of wrestling in the U.S., including wrestling uniforms actually worn by mat superstars… while the hall of fame section presents the stories of individual inductees in words, personal photos and collectibles.

There is also an impressive library with just about any book you could want to read about wrestling (along with a complete collection of Amateur Wrestling News back to the first issue), and a theater for watching vintage wrestling films.

Within sight of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is Gallagher-Iba Arena, named in part for groundbreaking Oklahoma State head wrestling coach in the 1920s and 30s Edward Clark Gallagher. This "Madison Square Garden of the Midwest" (as it was called at its opening in 1939) is home to the Cowboy wrestling program… and home for the Oklahoma State University Heritage Hall, which walks visitors through the history of the Stillwater school since 1890, including its rich sports legacy. A number of greats from the Cowboy wrestling program are enshrined in the Hall of Honor, including John Smith, Ed Gallagher, Myron Roderick, Yojiro Uetake-Obata, Kenny Monday, and Jimmy Jackson.

Resources

Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum, 303 Jefferson Street, downtown Waterloo, Iowa. (319) 233-0745.  Website

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, 405 Hall of Fame Avenue, Stillwater, Oklahoma. (405) 377-5244. Website

July 2008 Intermat article with more places to visit on a wrestling roadtrip