Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum Honors Greco-Roman stars
Hastert and Rieter's also recognized
October 18, 2009
Five Greco-Roman champions, the former Speaker of the House of the
United States Congress and a legendary Iowa wrestling family came
together on October 17 for a stirring event at the Dan Gable
International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, IA.
The Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions was the focus of
a two-day affair that is designed to recognize and honor the great
athletes of Greco-Roman wrestling. Alan Rice was a member of the 1956
Greco-Roman Olympic team, head coach of the 1972 Olympic team, and has
been a driving force in the development of Greco-Roman wrestling in
this country for over four decades. His wife, Gloria, passed away in
2001 but was at his side as he traveled the world in support of
wrestling at all levels.
"This is a great moment for Greco-Roman wrestling and a tremendous
honor for Gloria and me," said Alan as he addressed the overflow crowd
in the new wing named after him in the Gable Museum. "It is a thrill to
even be in the same room with these great World and Olympic champions."
Inducted into the first class were Steve Fraser, 1984 Olympic champion
and coach of the 2007 World Championships team; Jeff Blatnick, 1984
Olympic champion; Mike Houck, the first American wrestler (1985) to
ever win a World title in Greco-Roman; Dennis Hall, World champion
(1995), Olympic silver medallist and 10-time national champion, and Joe
Warren, 2006 World champion. Also honored were Dennis Hastert, 10-term
Congressman from Illinois who is the longest serving Republican Speaker
in U.S. history, and the Doug and Janet Reiter family of rural Jesup.
Speaker Hastert was given the Sport of Lincoln Award for meritorious
service to the sport, and the Reiters were given the first Iowa Legacy
Award, which will be presented annually to a family that has made
tremendous contusions to the sport in the state of Iowa. Wrestling for
Don Bosco Gilbertville High School, the four sons won 15 state high
school medals and had two four-time state champions in Mack and Bart.
Joe was a three-time place winners and state champion, while Eddie was
a four-time state placewinner.
"This is a wonderful facility," said Speaker Hastert. "I've spent hours
reading everything and I could spend a lot more time in here. It's a
great tribute to the sport of wrestling."
