Iowa State Daily - Bobby Douglas

[CYwrestle]

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/sports/article_d8407928-e7ed-11e6-b625-5f4d1fc0ec69.html

"The thing I’m so proud of, they all graduated," Douglas said. "That’s the real record. They all got their degrees, and Iowa State’s tough academically, [...] and when I recruited, that was one of my greatest tools. You come with me to Iowa State, I’m going to see to it that you get your degree. [...] We always put academics first."

As a parent, this is why you wanted your kid to wrestle for Bobby Douglas. He wasn't about putting himself and his coaching career first. In the end it's about getting an education so you can transition into a professional career after wrestling. That is what recruits have to keep in mind, you make a decision which you see best fits your goal in getting an education while being able to compete in sports.

 

[ca4cy]

Cool article. It's unfortunate he was never able to cash in a team title while he was our coach but nobody can argue the class with which he ran the program and the impact he had on a lot of his wrestlers on and off the mat.

Side note..that 1965 ISU team... Nine AAs, 7 of them in the top 3 with none of them lower than 5th and two Champs. Wow! What I wouldn't give to see something like that in my lifetime.

 

[Bobber]

I know it's sacrilege right now, but last night I was flipping back and forth between the ISU vs OSU basketball game and a special on 100 years of Iowa State wrestling. What am amazing story we can tell!

Bobby Douglas stood out in the show for how classy and humble he was. It's too bad he got pushed out to let Cael in and then Cael left us anyway...

Is Bobby still in town? Does he make any appearances anymore?

 

[HGoat]

Is Bobby still in town? Does he make any appearances anymore?

He is still around Ames, or he was this time last year. I don't think his health is the best.

Loved Coach Douglas, he was a character. He always had his fanny pack on, I was always wondering what was in there. He had a lot of weird quirks. I remember going to his camps growing up, he would show up to practices in weird outfits. One time he demonstrated technique with no shoes, athletic shorts, and a fly-fishing vest. 12 year old me also got a huge kick out of how he called a double leg "the Double Leg Tackle".

 

[Brandon]

I know it's sacrilege right now, but last night I was flipping back and forth between the ISU vs OSU basketball game and a special on 100 years of Iowa State wrestling. What am amazing story we can tell!

Bobby Douglas stood out in the show for how classy and humble he was. It's too bad he got pushed out to let Cael in and then Cael left us anyway...

Is Bobby still in town? Does he make any appearances anymore?

I believe he's still in town. He has helped coach some local kids mine included. Very good man and coach!

 

[HGoat]

So many other funny things he used to do.

He'd tell us to go drill 500 double legs then give us a ridiculously short amount of time in which you could never get that many reps in, then follow it up with 200 single legs with an even shorter amount of time.

Also used to say that he had forgot more wrestling than Dan Gable had ever known. Might be a bit of an exaggeration but I loved it.

 

[ricochet]

He is still around Ames, or he was this time last year. I don't think his health is the best.

He was at the last wrestling meet so I'm guessing he is still around.

 

[rdtindsm]

I first became aware of Douglas when ISU was wrestling with Athletes in Action during the Gable era. Douglas suffered some sort of injury during the match that caused him to loose the use of one arm. He finished the match while maintaining his lead. I couldn't tell you the name of any one else I saw, although I suspect that several of them would be recognizable to me. I have a great deal of respect for the man.

 

[Redman97]

A review of his biography:

https://www.win-magazine.com/2011/0...shows-someone-who-overcame-much-as-a-pioneer/

What a childhood.

 

[matclone]

So many other funny things he used to do.

He'd tell us to go drill 500 double legs then give us a ridiculously short amount of time in which you could never get that many reps in, then follow it up with 200 single legs with an even shorter amount of time.

Also used to say that he had forgot more wrestling than Dan Gable had ever known. Might be a bit of an exaggeration but I loved it.

There's only a handful of people who ever beat Gable in a wrestling match and Bobby D. is one of them.

 

[matclone]

I always liked the story about him having to hitch-hike from WV to Okla (I believe) to wrestle in the nationals. A true pioneer in every sense.