(WHO 13) - Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable will be awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
Gable spoke with President Donald Trump on the phone Wednesday morning about the honor. A date for the ceremony has not yet been determined.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy. According to the White House’s website, “It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Gable won a Gold Medal for the United States in wrestling in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.
Prior to that, he won three state high school titles at Waterloo West High School and two national titles at Iowa State University, among a myriad of other wrestling honors. As a collegiate wrestler, he had a streak of 100 matches unbeaten before losing in the NCAA finals in 1970.
After a storied career on the mat, Gable turned his attention to coaching. As the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Gable won 15 team titles – with a record nine of those being consecutive. He was head coach from 1977 to 1997.
Gable also coached multiple U.S. Olympic Wrestling teams.
Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, who reached out to the White House after hearing about grassroots support in Iowa for the award, both released statements congratulating Gable.
"Dan Gable is an iconic wrestler from my alma mater, Iowa State, a successful Hawkeye wrestling coach, and a USA Wrestling, National Wresting, and U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame inductee. For all of this, and much more, Mr. Gable is so deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Congratulations to Dan on receiving the highest honor for any civilian; keep making Iowa proud!" Ernst said.
"Dan Gable demonstrates that through hard work and determination you can accomplish great things. While he’s famous for winning awards both as a wrestler and as a wrestling coach, he’s also well-known and respected for his focus on family and giving back to his community and state. Congratulations on receiving this prestigious and well-deserved award," Grassley said.
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October 15, 2020 at 05:30AM
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Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Trump - kwwl.com
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