On Friday, August 12th, Dean Hiscocks of Grand Meadow, a long-time supporter of Minnesota wrestling was named the Britt, Iowa Alumnus of the Year.
About Dean Hiscocks:
Dean Francis Hiscocks graduated from Britt High School in 1952. In high school Dean wrestled under legendary coach Dick Black, who remained a lifelong friend. During his senior high school year, Dean took second place at state in the 154 pound division, when there was only one class in Iowa wrestling. In 1952 he came within one spot of making the Olympic wrestling team, placing third, when they took the top two spots.
Dean went on to wrestle at Mankato State for two years, where his fine wrestling career continued. His freshman year, he was scheduled to wrestle in the finals of the national tournament but had to forfeit the match because his dad died of brain cancer earlier that day. His sophomore year, his record was 7-2-1.
He was drafted into the army in 1954, and served for two years, seeing service in Germany and the United States. While in the army Dean served as a medic and played soccer.
In 1959 he married his high school sweetheart Marie Ostercamp. Together they have four children: Tony and his wife Susan and their two children Sarah and Taylor of Raleigh, North Carolina; Traci and her husband Scott and their children Gage and Shay of Cincinnati, Ohio; Terry and his wife Francisca and their children Andrea and Karla of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and finally, Tricia and her husband John and their two children Julia and Tessa of Rochester, Minnesota who are here to celebrate with them tonight.
After taking a break to farm and raise his family, in 1980 Dean took a job with the Grand Meadow School maintenance department, which allowed him to return to his favorite sport of wrestling. He immediately started getting involved with the youth program, practicing with them and teaching them the fundamentals of the sport. He served and promoted the Little King Wrestling Tournament, one of the first youth wresting tournaments in the area.
He served as a coach for the Grand Meadow wrestling program for nine years. In addition to coaching, he drove the wrestling bus, and was active in the wrestling booster club. His patience and respect for the kids made him a favorite of the wrestlers. He’s attended countless of his wrestler’s graduations, weddings and they seek him out to update him on their accomplishments. They know he will always take the time to listen and be interested in what they have to say.
He’s been a member of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association for over 25 years, where he received a plaque for his many contributions and service to Minnesota wrestling.
While he retired from the maintenance department of Grand Meadow School in 1999, he continues to works at the Minnesota State wrestling tournament with the weigh-in crew, in addition to working at the scorer’s table in regional and state competitions.
He has served as the Section One Representative for many years for the Minnesota State High School League, where he has been honored with a 25 year award for service to the sport of wrestling.
In 2010 he was named to the Southeastern Minnesota Region 1 Hall of Fame for his many contributions to the sport he loves.
For all the medals, plaques and awards, he wants to be remembered for modeling good sportsmanship and his love and promotion of wrestling.