Verne Gagne was a standout athlete at Robbinsdale High School, where he was a two-time state high school wrestling champion in 1942 and 1943.

Verne's football and wrestling career was interrupted by a tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps in 1943. Verne played on the Marines Football Team with the likes of Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Gopher Great George Frank, and other NFL Stars.

Verne returned to the University of Minnesota where he won four Big Ten titles and two NCAA Division I championships.

Verne also lost a close match to Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Wittenberg in the final Olympic trials in 1948.

Verne also earned All-American Honorable Mention in football at the University of Minnesota.

Verne was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played in the College All-Star game versus the pros.

Verne opted to become a professional wrestler and founded AWA and became its greatest champion.

He won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight title in a tournament in Tulsa , and then moved up to the heavyweight ranks. He and television were made for each other, and he became one of the best known athletes in America through the 1950s and 1960s.

He also served as promoter, co-starred with Ed Asner in the movie "The Wrestler" and helped many amateur wrestlers break into the professional ranks.

Behind the scenes, Verne was a key financial contributor to amateur wrestling, a great ambassador for the sport and is considered the "Paul Bunyan of Minnesota Wrestling."

Verne was selected to the All-Time Minnesota High School Wrestling Dream Team: 1937-1997.

Verne is member of the MWCA Bartelma Coaches Hall of Fame as an athlete as well as the "M" Club and the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame and several others.