David Homer McCuskey was born September 4, 1907 at Dunlap, Iowa. He graduated from Woodbine High School in 1926, and began attending the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI). In 1930, McCuskey graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, with a minor in industrial arts. While earning his degree, he was a successful football player and was on the wrestling team. Although he would become a wrestling coach, he never lettered in the sport. He later received a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from Columbia University in December 1933.
McCuskey, known as Mac to many, became the head coach of the Iowa State Teachers College wrestling team after Paul Bender took a leave of absence in 1930. In addition to coaching wrestling, he also coached the freshman football and baseball teams, and was a swimming instructor. McCuskey held these positions until 1952. During this time, McCuskey also served more than 3 years in the Navy's V-5 program during World War II.
As head coach, McCuskey, nicknamed "The Whip," guided the Panthers to national recognition. In his first year coaching, the first ISTC wrestlers placed in the NCAA Championships. In 1934, Ray Cheney was the first ISTC wrestler to win a national championship title.
From 1947 to 1952, the Panthers dominated the national championships, placing no lower than fourth place. In 1950, McCuskey led the Panthers to their first ever NCAA Championship in front of the home crowd in Cedar Falls.
When he resigned in 1952 to take over the head coaching job at the University of Iowa, he had a 102-31-7 record.
McCuskey's success did not stop when he left the Teachers College. His activities included:
In 1972, McCuskey retired from coaching at the University of Iowa, where he had also been an associate professor of Physical Education. He became an honorary lifetime member of the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa Letterman's Club later on in his life.
McCuskey died in January 1985, of a stroke. He was 77. In July 1997, he was honored as the 152nd member of the Des Moines Sunday Register's Iowa Sports Hall of Fame.
Compiled by Jonathan Russell; edited by Susan A. Basye
Special Collections and University Archives
May 1997