Greg Strobel

August 17, 1952 - October 08, 2020

As a wrestler, coach, and a leader, Greg Strobel did it all. Strobel’s wrestling story began at Scappoose High School in Oregon. He won three state championships at 191 pounds and, at one point during his senior year, Strobel actually coached the team.

Staying close to home, Strobel wrestled at Oregon State under Hall of Fame coach Dale Thomas. His career with the Beavers was exceptional. Strobel was a three-time All-American, compiling a 124-5-1 record.

As a junior at the 1973 NCAA tournament, Strobel was thrown early in his championship finals match at 190 pounds against Johnny Johnson of Northern Illinois before storming back for an 11-7 victory. He became Oregon State’s first ever recipient of the Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts. He finished the season at 39-0, and continued his unbeaten streak into the 1974 season. Strobel capped his senior season with another NCAA title and winning streak of 77 matches.

Strobel’s impact on wrestling continued as a coach, including head coaching stints at the high school, college, and international levels. He will be best remembered for his career as the head wrestling coach at Lehigh University. From 1994 through 2008, Strobel’s teams compiled a 189-83-1 dual meet record. He led the Mountain Hawks to six EIWA championships, including five in a row from 2002 through 2006. His wrestlers captured 28 individual EIWA titles and 30 All-American honors. Strobel also coached two NCAA champions: Rob Rohn in 2002 and Troy Letters in 2004.

As an international coach, Strobel was just as successful. Prior to arriving at Lehigh he was the National Teams Director for USA Wrestling from 1983 through 1991. Strobel also joined Distinguished Members Dan Gable and John Smith as head coaches of the 2000 United States Olympic freestyle wrestling team. He advanced the sport through key leadership positions at Lehigh and for USA Wrestling. In 2009, Strobel was named Man of the Year by USA Wrestling.

For his diverse wrestling career that includes success at every level, Greg Strobel is recognized as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2012
Award
Distinguished Member
Chapter/Region
National
Year
2010
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Oregon

All American Awards:

Season
1974
School
Oregon State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
190
Place
1
Season
1973
School
Oregon State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
190
Place
1
Season
1972
School
Oregon State
Tournament
Division I
Weight
190
Place
5

College Season Records:

Season
1974
School
Oregon State
Class
Senior
Bouts
36
Wins
36
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
10
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1973
School
Oregon State
Class
Junior
Bouts
39
Wins
39
Losses
0
Ties
0
Falls
11
Win PCT.
100
Place
1st
Season
1972
School
Oregon State
Class
Sophomore
Bouts
34
Wins
31
Losses
2
Ties
1
Falls
14
Win PCT.
91.18
Place
5th
Season
1971
School
Oregon State
Class
Freshman
Bouts
21
Wins
18
Losses
3
Ties
0
Falls
8
Win PCT.
85.71
Place
DNP
Season
Career
Bouts
130
Wins
124
Losses
5
Ties
1
Falls
43
Win PCT.
95.38

All Coaching Dual Records:

Season
2008
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
26
Wins
12
Losses
14
Ties
0
Win PCT.
46.15
Season
2007
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
23
Wins
14
Losses
9
Ties
0
Win PCT.
60.87
Season
2006
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
19
Wins
13
Losses
5
Ties
1
Win PCT.
68.42
Season
2005
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
25
Wins
21
Losses
4
Ties
0
Win PCT.
84
Season
2004
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
26
Wins
22
Losses
4
Ties
0
Win PCT.
84.62
Season
2003
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
17
Losses
3
Ties
0
Win PCT.
85
Season
2002
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
14
Losses
6
Ties
0
Win PCT.
70
Season
2001
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
23
Wins
18
Losses
5
Ties
0
Win PCT.
78.26
Season
2000
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
21
Wins
19
Losses
2
Ties
0
Win PCT.
90.48
Season
1999
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
14
Wins
9
Losses
5
Ties
0
Win PCT.
64.29
Season
1998
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
12
Losses
8
Ties
0
Win PCT.
60
Season
1997
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
20
Wins
11
Losses
9
Ties
0
Win PCT.
55
Season
1996
School
Lehigh
Division
Division I
Duals
16
Wins
7
Losses
9
Ties
0
Win PCT.
43.75
Season
Career
Duals
273
Wins
189
Losses
83
Ties
1
Win PCT.
69.23

All Rankings:

Season
1974
Rank Date
02/23/1974
Weight
190
Rank
1
School
Oregon State

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