In an effort to honor Robert S. Siddens, a man who helped grow wrestling in Waterloo and the state of Iowa, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has launched an initiative to raise $500,000 for the Bob Siddens and Dan Gable Learning Center.

Siddens, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025, led West Waterloo High School to prominence in wrestling while positively impacting countless lives during his career as a guidance counselor and coach.

“A great coach shapes more than just athletes, they shape character, values, and lives," said Dan Gable. "Coach Siddens did exactly that, leaving an enduring impact on generations, both on and off the mat. I encourage all of the wrestlers, officials, colleagues and fans whose lives he touched to join us in honoring his legacy with a meaningful donation to ensure that his contributions to the sport will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. Please help out by helping out.”

The DGM is asking Waterloo and the wrestling community to celebrate and commemorate Siddens memory by making a contribution. To donate, visit secure.qgiv.com/for/friendsofbobsiddensgift or mail a check to National Wrestling Hall of Fame, 405 W. Hall of Fame Ave., Stillwater, OK 74075 with “Bob Siddens Initiative” on the memo line. For more information contact DGM Development Officer Mike Doughty at mdoughty@nwhof.org. 

Designed to show museum visitors what a wrestling practice room looks like, the Dan Gable Learning Center features state-of-the-art mats and wall mats from longtime Hall of Fame partner and sponsor Resilite. The facility is available for youth wrestlers to practice while also hosting clinics and seminars featuring some of America’s greatest wrestlers and coaches and also workouts for some of the nation’s top college teams in Iowa for competition. 

Inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1980 and into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa in 2003, Siddens will always be remembered as Gable’s coach, which isn't a bad way to be remembered, but there’s much, much more to the outstanding career of Siddens. 

During his tenure at West Waterloo High School from 1950 to 1977, the Wahawks dominated prep wrestling, putting Waterloo and the state of Iowa on the nation’s wrestling map. His teams had a 327-26 dual meet record with 14 undefeated seasons and an 88-dual win streak. The Wahawks won 11 state team titles and placed second or third 10 other times. Siddens coached 130 state place-winners, including 51 individual state champions, and played an instrumental role in the growth of high school wrestling in Iowa, which grew from 28 school to more than 300. 

As a high school coach of exceptional stature, as a nationally recognized referee, as a respected clinician both on technique and on officiating, as an author, teacher and counselor, he made notable contributions to the sport for three decades. 

Long respected as one of the nation's finest collegiate referees, he officiated at two dozen NCAA championships, more than any other official. He traveled thousands of miles to conduct clinics for wrestlers and for officials, and published many articles on the sport. 

Since 2012, the GBHOF has presented the Bob Siddens High School Coaching Excellence Award to a current Iowa high school wrestling coach who exemplifies the high standards that Siddens set during his coaching career at Waterloo West. The 2025 recipient is Michael Doyle, who has taught math and coached at Independence High School since 1995. 

Funds raised by the Friends of Bob Siddens initiative will be permanently invested in the NWHOF’s endowment fund as a restricted gift, with the annual investment earnings allocated for the benefit of the Dan Gable Museum.