Jack Gause

In an era when only a few American officials were qualified to referee at international events, Jack Gause came upon the scene. He assisted no less than 160 referees in obtaining their international licenses so that the major competitions would not be limited to a privileged few.

Gause was the first National Officials Chairman to make sure that every National Championship, from the kids all the way up to the seniors, had the same consistent application of the rules. He did this by attending nearly every championship and personally conducting the rules interpretation for two years.

He implemented the concept of a point system for ranking referees and also hosted the first FILA Officials and Coaches Clinic ever to be held in the United States. Gause received the Gold Star from FILA and served as the 1978 Team Leader for the U.S. Team at the World Championships.

Gause authored Minnesota legislation that provided for public employees to have 90 days of paid leave absence if a member of an international team. Many other states have since used this as a model for similar legislation. Gause and his wife Dee were previously inducted into the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2015
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Minnesota
Year
2001
Award
Meritorious Official
Chapter/Region
National

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