During a coaching career spanning 41 years, Dave McCuskey established two great collegiate wrestling programs, both within the state of Iowa.

A 1930 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he was an outstanding football halfback, baseball pitcher and track star, he immediately joined the coaching staff of the teachers' college and built a national power in the sport of wrestling.

In 21 years there, he produced 102 victories, 31 losses and seven ties. His efforts bore fruit in the form of a National Collegiate team championship in 1950 and National AAU titles in 1949, '50 and '51. His Panthers were NCAA runners-up four times.

In 1953, McCuskey moved to the University of Iowa and again embarked on a construction program of great wrestling teams. His Hawkeyes won 160 matches against 69 losses and seven ties and laid the groundwork for NCAA championships from the mid-1970s onward.

McCuskey's wrestlers at the two schools won 25 individual NCAA titles. Among his 11 Olympians were two gold medal winners. He was coach of the 1956 Olympic team and at one time or another headed such major wrestling associations as the Olympic Committee, coaches association and officials' committee.

Many of his wrestlers rank among the nation's leading collegiate coaches and others remain active across the country in the promotion and development of the sport for all age groups.

In 41 years as a coach, David Homer McCuskey established an unforgettable record. In recognition of his achievements he is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.