In 1964 the Moorhead State Wrestling Team honored Minnesota with the NAIA National Wrestling Championship. This was a major step for wrestling in Minnesota college wrestling. The coach of that team was Bill Garland, "The Silver Fox". This was a "pioneer" effort for college wrestling in the state and brought some major notoriety to amateur wrestling in Minnesota. Garland was awarded NAIA "National Coach of the Year" for his efforts that year. He came to Moorhead State in 1958 and coached until 1986. His teams produced 58 All-Americans, eleven national champions and four wrestlers inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. Coach Garland coached in one of the toughest college wrestling conferences in the nation at that time, during the 1950ʼs and 1960ʼs. Only five college wrestling coaches have coached teams to national championships in Minnesota. Former Moorhead State wrestler under Garland, Frank Mosier, says, "Coach Garland was the kind of coach who mentored, encouraged, supported, advocated and fought for every wrestler, at every turn." Garland coached for 29 years, 28 of those at Moorhead state University (now Minnesota State University-Moorhead). He coached one year at Indiana University. Garland was inducted into the NAIA National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1984. Longtime Sports Information Director at Moorhead State, Larry Scott, says: "Garland began coaching at Moorhead State in 1958-59, the first of 11 consecutive winning seasons at Moorhead State, and it created a dynasty that remained in full flourish for more than a decade. Soon, the Dragons began to make a serious run at the NIC title and make a major splash on the national level as well. Some early legends, including Rod Wiger, Bill Cronen and Banks Swan helped set the table, but it was the arrival of Bucky Maughan in 1962 that officially marked the beginning of the "Golden Age of Dragon wrestling." Scott says, "Garlandʼs top wrestler was Bucky Maughan, out of Canonsburg, PA, a transfer from Indiana State. Maughan quickly demonstrated he had the right stuff. His quickness, repertoire of moves, and unmistakable swagger attracted an instant following, and Moorhead State quickly grabbed some national headlines. Maughan secured NAIA national titles in 1962 and 1963, and reached the summit in 1963 by capturing the NCAA I national 115-pound title, the only Dragon to win a NCAA I individual crown. Because of Coach Garlandʼs timely and insightful recruitment of Maughan, as well as Maughanʼs unprecedented success, Moorhead State tied the United States Naval Academy for 11th place on the fi nal team standings." Scott says, "While Maughan sizzled on the national scene, he had plenty of team support. Heavyweight Bob Billberg, a product of Waukegan, Illinois, made a huge impact. Billberg won NAIA national titles in 1964 and 1966, and logged runner-up finishes in the NCAA I fi nals in 1964 and 1966. He also appeared on ABC WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS. His list of victims included collegiate legends Curly Culp of Arizona State and Jim Nance of Syracuse." Other great stars for Garlandʼs Dragons were Frank Mosier, who became a two-time NAIA National Champion at 167 pounds, helping the Dragons win the 1964 NAIA national championship. Three other Dragons won national titles were Earl Stottler, Jim Dreitzler and Rick Stuyvesant. John Morley and Rick Kelvington also placed in the NCAA I national championships. In addition, the Dragons would win NIC team titles in 1965, 1968 and 1969. Stottler was the first Dragon to win a national title, winning the crown in 1961. Morley was named an Olympic Team alternate. The success of the afore mentioned wrestlers would not have been possible without Coach Bill Garland. It was through Billʼs mentorship, guidance and leadership that Moorhead State holds a true place in the world of college wrestling. The honor bestowed on him today is certainly befitting. Bill, the son of Jack and Pearl Garland was born May 23, 1928 near Bloomington, Indiana. He was proud to be a US Marine, serving in World War II. Helped his High School win the state wrestling championship and was honored as Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year at Indiana University, where he was proud to be a Hoosier wrestler. Bill died December 9, 2007 in Fargo, North Dakota. He will always be remembered as the coach that brought a national title to Minnesota college wrestling. He is survived by a daughter, Lisa (Brad) Kittelson, Fargo, two sons, Scott (Erica) Garland, Fargo, and David Garland, Fargo, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.