More Than Wrestling - Volume 1 of 2

 Being an amateur historian of the sport I have come across an assortment of interesting things that wrestlers have done beyond wrestling. While many dedicate their lives to wrestling through coaching, officiating or something else connected to wrestling, some take their lives in other directions. In the past I have provided lists of wrestlers that went on to become MMA/UFC competitors, as well as lists that went on to become superstars in professional wrestling. Others have provided list of wrestlers that went on to excel in professional football. Today, I want to provide a list of wrestlers that did other interesting things that aren't as well documented. I sure there are many more, but this is what  I have came up with thus far. 

Tony Brewer 

Former Los Angeles Dodger Tony Brewer, who also played professional baseball in Japan was a wrestler. While in college at Foothill, he won a CCCAA title in 1977. Transferring to Miami(FL) Brewer decided to focus in on baseball & the rest as they say, is history. During his professional baseball career, he hit 99 homeruns. 

Lester Austin 

Austin, an NCAA runner-up for Syracuse, was an anesthesiologist with over 58 years of experience. 

Jason Morris 

Founder & head of Real Judo Magazine, Jason Morris was a wrestler. He finished 5th in the nation for Syracuse.  Later he won an Olympic Silver medal as well as a World Bronze medal in Judo before starting the magazine. 

Wayne Catan 

During his collegiate days Catan earned All American honors for both Tennessee and Syracuse. Among the many interesting things he's done with his life, he is a well known & rather respected book reviewer. His reviews have been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. 

Kenichi Kannon 

Take this for what it's worth.  Kenichi Kannon, a NAIA champion for Central Washington went on to be an Art teacher & wrestling coach. Among his students, a young man named Kurt Kobain. Per Kobain's own accord, the first person to really encourage him & make him believe in himself was Mr. Kannon. 

Joe Sanford 

Sanford, another NAIA champ for Central Washington, ended up spending a majority of his life dedicated to the Rodeo. He rode bulls and he performed as rodeo clown. 

Tod Northup 

A NCAA Division III champion for St Lawrence, Tod Northup's wrestling career was cut short due to a severe knee injury. He took this negative and turned it into a positive. Becoming an orthopedic surgeon, he has worked on making robotic knee replacements. 

Kirk Douglas 

Many probably already know, but for those that don't, famous Hollywood actor Kirk Douglas wrestled at St Lawrence. 

Jamie McEwan

McEwan, an Olympic Bronze medalist & a 5 time World Cup Silver medalist in Canoeing, was captain of the wrestling team at Yale. 

Edgar Nemir 

1932 Olympic Silver Medalist Edgar Nemir, who also wrestled at California, had a bit of a career in Hollywood himself. 

Peter Fuller 

The story surrounding Peter Fuller is rather intriguing. Avidly into horse racing, the horse he owned won the 1968 Kentucky Derby, but was stripped of the title due to a controversial aid, phenylbutazone.  It highly debated at the time & it was said that neither Fuller, the Jockey or anyone else on his team were even aware that the horse had been doped. Phenylbutazone became legal in 1974. Now what many do not know about Fuller, is that he wrestled at Dartmouth & finished 3rd in the EIWA tournament. 

John Geyer 

Wind Surf Magazine journalist Jon Geyer was a wrestler. He earned CCCAA honors for Orange Coast College & then NCAA Division II All American status for Long Beach State. 

Nathaniel "Bubba" Owen

Bubba Owen, Alabama's first black district court judge wrestled at the University of the South, winning a conference title. 

Bob Golic 

Also a football star in college & the NFL, Bob Golic who has a starring role on Saved By The Bell: The College Years, was a two time All American for Notre Dame. 

Jim Thigpen 

Jim Thigpen the founder of the Trustus Theatre in Columbia, South Carolina was also responsible for starting the wrestling program at Furman. 

Dan Cathy 

Vice President of Chick-Fil-A, Dan Cathy was a varsity wrestler at Furman. 

Emmanual Yarbrough

Also involved in MMA and Sumo wrestling, Emmanual Yarbrough, who had success in both Hollywood and Bollywood was a two time All American for Morgan State. 

Ephraim Walker

Hollywood producer Ephraim Walker was a two time conference champion for Howard. 

Larry McCoy 

McCoy, a member of the Washington D.C. police department was often assigned the duty of protecting high profile individuals. During Bill Clinton's time as the President of the United States, McCoy would join him on his morning runs. McCoy was a two time NAIA champion for Indiana of Pennsylvania. 

Kirk Strand 

The lead pastor of the Valley Assembly of God in Brandon, South Dakota, Strand was a NCAA Division II All American for Northwest Missouri State. 

Darrell Burchfield 

Author Darrell Burchfield earned All American honors in both the NAIA & NCAA Division II for Saginaw Valley State. 

Kurt Searvogel 

In the Guinness Book of World Records you will find the name Kurt Searvogel, who rode 75,065 miles on bicycle in one year. Searvogel was also a NCAA Division III All American at Ripon. 

David Schramm 

David Schramm who was an important fixture to the world of science in too many ways to list, was a wrestler at M.I.T. where he captured two conference titles. Stephen Hawking considered Schramm to be one of his best friends. 

Erland Von Lidth de Jeude

A Hollywood actor, Jeude was an NCAA Division III finalist for M.I.T. 

Alex Morf 

Hollywood actor Alex Morf was a varsity wrestler at St Olaf. 

Mike Durfee 

The Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, South Dakota was named after Mike Durfee who won three conference titles for South Dakota Springfield.