What would be one of the oldest collegiate wrestling programs in the country, Yale Bulldog wrestling began in the 1903-1904 season. It came to an end after the 1990-1991 season. If Yale wrestling were still around today, this would be their 116th season. In realms of interesting history, in regards to collegiate wrestling, this goes back to about as long ago as you can get.
The Bulldogs had an assortment of great wrestlers and really I'd like to recognize them all but I've narrowed it down to who I feel are the twelve best.
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| George Dole |
Born in 1885, it really puts into perspective the origin of where it all began for college wrestling. Winning EIWA titles in 1905, 1906, 1907 & 1908, George Dole was the first four time champion that collegiate wrestling ever knew. Post college he'd teach economics at St. Lawrence University (another wrestling program we lost that I wrote about earlier). His nephew who was also named George Dole, was a famous runner years later.
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125 & 135 lbs
Louis Dole |
George's twin brother Louis was himself a great grappler nearly matching George's four EIWA titles with three of his own in 1905, 1907 & 1908. I'm unsure if he failed to place in 1906 or if he didn't participate for one reason or another. Interesting to note, his 1907 title match lasted 28 minutes.
Post college Dole went into theology and became a pastor.
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115 and 123 lbs
Andy Fitch |
Finishing in third place in 1958 & as the runner up in 1959, Andy Fitch never won an EIWA conference title. Nevertheless he did win the NCAA title in 1959. Post college, Fitch had a successful international career winning a Pan-American Games gold medal in 1963 & making the Olympic team in 1964. After his wrestling career was said and done he taught literature and creative writing for a number of years & he tried his hand at starting a professional league of folkstyle wrestling.
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142 lbs
Jim Bennett |
A two sport athlete in high school, Jim Bennett could have as easily wound up a star on the men's track & field team as he did on the wrestling team. He won one state title in wrestling, whereas he was a time time state champion in the Pole Vault. As a member of Bulldog wrestling he is yet another wrestler who managed to win an NCAA title without ever winning an EIWA one. As a junior in 1975 he finished second at the EIWA's but won the NCAA's. As a senior in 1976 he'd once again take runner-up honors at the EIWA's and this time place fourth at the NCAA tournament.
A Russians studies and economics major, he was the assistant coach at Harvard for a number of years. His wife Amy was an Olympic cyclist. To this day Bennett puts forth efforts to reinstate Bulldog wrestling.
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167 lbs
George Graveson |
Finishing at the EIWA runner-up as a sophomore and senior in 1950 & 1952, George Graveson would win the EIWA's in 1951 as a junior also garnering the outstanding wrestler of the tournament honors. In the same year he would finish as the NCAA runner-up.
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167 lbs
Colin Grissom |
Coming from Colorado, Colin Grissom wrestled for the Wheat Ridge Farmers where he took third in the state tournament in 1978 and won a state title in 1979. Winning an EIWA title in 1981 as a sophomore, Grissom would finish as the runner-up in 1982 and take third place in 1983. He was an All American in 1982, placing sixth. Brother Grady Grissom was a varsity wrestler at Princeton.
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175 lbs
Frank Russell |
Frank Russell who would later go on to become a tycoon in the world of business won three EIWA titles for Yale in 1924, 1925 and 1926.
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190 lbs
Neal Brendel |
A successful attorney in the Pittsburgh area, Neal Brendel is better known to the sports world for Rugby. Not only has he been a part of some major U.S. teams but he is also one of the head chairmen of USA Rugby. As a wrestler, Brendel qualified for the NCAA championships four times. At the EIWA's he finished in fourth as a freshman, second as a sophomore & third as a junior before winning a title in 1976 as a senior. Also in his senior year he captured All American honors with a fourth place finish. Known for always being a man of class and humility despite being tough as nails on the mat, Brendel received the William Neely Mallory award for sportsmanship his senior year as well.
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HWT
Bill Goebel |
Born in 1887, former Bulldog Bill Goebel is one of the earliest collegiate wrestlers (speaking in terms of duals and tournaments) you can read about. Also a guard on the football team who ran track in the spring, Goebel won EIWA titles in 1907 & 1909 finishing as the runner-up in 1908.
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HWT
Tim Karpoff |
An EIWA champion as a junior in 1973, Karpoff would take runner-up honors in 1972 & 1974, capturing fourth place at the 1974 NCAA tournament. Post college Karpoff would work for the Institute of Cultural Affairs.
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HWT
Larry Pickett |
Finishing in third place as a sophomore & in second as a junior, Larry Pickett would finally win an EIWA title in 1940 as a senior. Post college Pickett became one of the most beloved figures at Comstock High School where he coached about every sport the school offered. He coached wrestling, football, baseball, girl's tennis, softball and even basketball. His baseball teams were so good they won 204 games and 9 conference championships. When questioned of how one can be successful coaching a sport in which they either did not excel or did not play at all he responded that the key to successful coaching wasn't being a skilled expert but instead caring about kids and convincing them that in all aspects of life you wanted them to succeed.
Now I would end here, but I have to include one more name because I love learning that successful athletes in other sports that wrestled. Besides, I'm not sure how many are aware that who I'm about to mention was a wrestler.
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| Jamie McEwan |
Believe it or not by one of America's best in Canoe Slalom, Jamie McEwan was a wrestler. Matter of fact he was captain of the Bulldog squad. In Canoeing, McEwan owns a 1972 Olympic Bronze medal and a 1987 World Championships silver medal as well as five Silver medals from the World Cup.
The Yale Bulldog wrestling program is rich with tradition, credentials and accomplishments. Accomplishments on the mat and accomplishments beyond the mat. It goes to show that the sport of wrestling produces individuals who are so much more that what they did while wearing a singlet. That the disciplines and lessons learned in wrestling can translate into other areas of life. A school as prestigious in academics & higher learning as Yale, at one time gave young men a place to get a top notch education and wrestle. Perhaps some day they will provide that opportunity again...as well as to young women.
Really nice read. Thank you!
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