Open House for Bobby Douglas

The Dan Gable Museum will host a celebration for National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member and Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa member Bobby Douglas on Saturday, November 2 from 4-7 p.m.

Douglas was the first African American to wrestle in the Olympics, competing in 1964 and 1968, and the first to captain the U.S. Olympic team in 1968. He also wrestled on six World Championship teams, winning a silver medal in 1966 and a bronze medal in 1970. He was an assistant coach for 10 World and Olympic teams, was World Cup coach in 1987 and Olympic coach in 1992.

He had a long and distinguished college coaching career at Arizona State and Iowa State. In 1988 he led Arizona State to the national championship, the only wrestling team title won by a western school, and he led Iowa State to three runner-up finishes.

He was a two-time Ohio state high school wrestling champion and an NAIA national champion for West Liberty State in 1962. In 1963, he reached the NCAA Division I finals and finished second to defending national champion Mickey Martin of Oklahoma.

At 5 p.m., Bobby will kick off a new tradition for the Dan Gable Museum by autographing his picture wall, followed by a brief program.

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations