Dale wrestled in high school at Collingswood, New Jersey for Hall of Fame coach Sam Coursen.

After graduation, Dale entered West Chester College where he wrestled for coaches Willard Trezise and Lloyd Black.

In 1961, he became head coach at Western Maryland College where he compiled a record of 8-4.

The following year he became coach at Haverford Township School District, where his teams were 43-3 with five undefeated seasons. In 1969, Bonsall would return to West Chester, where for the next 21 years he would be an assistant coach except one year when he was the head coach.

From 1963 to 1974, Dale was a Pennsylvania wrestling official and served as the president of the Southern Wrestling Officials Association.

He was the junior development coach at Team Foxcatcher from 1989-1995 and since 1994, Team Renegade.

Highly respected catch as catch can and freestyle wrestling clinician on the East Coast, Dale has conducted wrestling camps and clinics at hundreds of locations.

Dale was head coach of the Pennsylvania National Freestyle Junior USA Wrestling team in 2003 at Fargo, North Dakota.

He has written several articles on HIV/AIDS in contact sports and lists his occupation as clinician, club wrestling coach, motivational speaker, and guest fitness lecturer.