Takedown Report

Why Does Iowa Wrestling Have So Many Fans?

Here are six reasons the University of Iowa wrestling program has a fan base like no other.
The University of Iowa continues to be the standard-bearer for college wrestling attendance. For the past three seasons, the Hawkeyes averaged over 14,000 fans for home duals. A record 42,287 attended the Grapple on the Gridiron on November 14, 2015 — a home dual between Oklahoma State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium before the Minnesota football game. 
Here are six reasons Iowa has the country’s largest wrestling fan base. Watch the below interview with former Hawkeye coach Dan Gable for his insights.
1. Winning Program
Iowa hired Gary Kurdelmeier during the 1972-73 season. Kurdelmeier’s first order of business was to hire Dan Gable as his assistant. Gable was fresh off a win at the 1972 Munich Olympics when he arrived in Iowa City. 
Hiring Gable marked a turning point. Iowa finished seventh at the 1973 NCAA Championships, fifth in 1974, and first in 1975 and 1976. Gable took over as head coach during the 1977 season and his teams won 15 of 21 championships and 21 consecutive Big Ten titles. 
The Hawkeyes have never finished lower than eighth at nationals for 51 straight seasons. No other program compares during that span.  “Iowa fans are used to excitement,” Gable said. “Iowa fans are used to winning. A lot of it has to do with how the kid wrestles. Iowa wrestling has done it for so long with such good performances that they’re consistent.”

Iowa Wrestling NCAA Championships Results: 1973-2025

… more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12872714-why-does-iowa-wrestling-have-so-many-fans

October 9, 2024 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | iowa, iowa-hawkeyes, sports, wrestling