UNI's first wrestling squad
In 1923, the first intercollegiate wrestling team in UNI's history took to the mat.
Although this green team only competed in one meet, a successful 16-8 victory over
Cornell, they had started a winning tradition that has carried on throughout the years.
The Panthers have recorded 580 victories since that first year, with only twelve losing
seasons.
Early wrestling match in West Gym
The UNI wrestling team has had six head coaches since 1923, and two temporary coaches. Four of the head coaches, McCuskey, Koll, Patten, and Briggs, are alumni, and three, McCuskey, Koll, and Patten, wrestled for the school while earning their degrees. Choose one of the following to read a short biographical sketch of the coach:
Paul Bender
David McCuskey
Clyde "Buck" Starbeck (1943 temporary coach)
Bill Koll
Ed Lyons (1958 temporary coach)
Chuck Patten
Don Briggs
Mark Manning
Brad Penrith
For the history of UNI wrestling for a certain time period or under a particular coach, click on one of the following (pages for Coaches Patten and Briggs are currently under construction):
The UNI Panther wrestling team has recorded 580 wins and 269 losses from the time the sport began here in 1923 through 1997. Click below to see a detailed outline of season records:
The UNI Panthers placed first at the NCAA Championships in 1950, 1975, and 1978. To learn more about these victories click on one of the following:
Forty-two wrestlers have been named national champions after placing first at the NCAA Championships. Choose one of the following for a list of UNI's best:
UNI's 113 All-Americans each placed in the top eight at the NCAA Championships. Many of them are also two-, three-, and even four-time All-Americans, having placed in more than one championship. Click below to see a list of these top wrestlers:
1991 was the first year of the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team. Choose the following to learn about these outstanding student athletes:
Five UNI wrestlers have had the honor of participating in the Olympic Games or the Pan American Games. Click below to learn about these world competitive wrestlers:
Olympic and Pan American Game Winners
Created by Jonathan Russell and Susan A. Basye
Special Collections and University Archives
May 1997