STILLWATER, Okla. — Former Dragon wrestler Bob Bowlsby will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s class of 2023, per a release on Tuesday. Bowlsby will be distinguished alongside seven other inductees.
The former Dragon will receive the Outstanding American award which is presented to those individuals who have used the disciplines of wrestling to launch notable careers in other walks of life, such as science and technology, business and industry, government and the military, and the arts and humanities.
“This coming year’s class of inductees exemplify virtuous leadership as competitors and stewards while also being exceptional sources of inspiration for the sport of wrestling’s past, present and future generations,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “We are proud to honor their accomplishments by enshrining them in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame during Honors Weekend this coming June.”
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2023
Bowlsby wrestled at MSUM from 1970-1974, where he was a four-year letter winner and team captain as a senior in 1973-74. He captured an NSIC championship in his senior season as well. Bowlsby was inducted into the Dragon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. He would then go on to a career in athletic administration.
Post-MSUM, Bowlsby was the athletic director at the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa, and Stanford University. Most notably, Bowlsby was hired as the commissioner of the Big 12 Conference in 2012. He has also served on the NCAA Basketball Selection Committee in 2006 and the United States Olympic Committee for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
The induction ceremony will be held at the 46th Honors Weekend on June 2-3, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
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