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Zilverberg to be inducted into University of Minnesota "M" Club Hall of Fame
June 9, 2005
The University of Minnesota M Club Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department announced today that Belle Plaine, Minnesota, resident and former Hopkins Lindbergh High School (MN) graduate, Dan Zilverberg is one of 16 former Golden Gopher greats that will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at its annual banquet on Thursday, Sept. 22.
Dan Zilverberg, Wrestling 1978-90
An extremely accomplished wrestler who put together two of the best seasons in Golden Gopher history, Dan Zilverberg posted a 43-3-0 record in 1979, to rank third in school history for single-season victories. He was the Big Ten champion at 158 pounds that year and was an All-American and selected to the East/West All-Star Team. In 1980 he continued his dominance as team captain, posting a 45-3-0 record that ranks second all-time in school history for single-season victories. He won his second straight Big Ten title at 158 pounds, was named Outstanding Wrestler in the Big Ten Tournament, and earned All-American honors, and was selected to the East/West All-Star Team for a second consecutive year.
One of Zilverberg's most remarkable accomplishments occurred in the 1980 season when not one point was scored against him during the Big Ten season or at the Big Ten Tournament.
The Big Ten honored Zilverberg as Minnesota's recipient of the Conference Medal, the highest award bestowed upon a senior student-athlete who represents the very best achievements in all areas: academic excellence, athletic achievement and leadership. The NCAA also recognized his academic achievements by awarding him a post-graduate scholarship.
Zilverberg was also a National Junior Greco Roman Champion, member of the Junior World Greco Roman team, and a National Senior AAU Freestyle Champion. He is a member of the MN Wrestling Hall of Fame and was selected by Amateur Wrestling News to the U of M 25-year modern day Dream Team. Zilverberg is currently a practicing Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine in Belle Plaine.
The other Class of 2005 inductees are: Kenneth T. Bartlett, Gymnastics, 1953; Merrily Dean Baker, Athletic Director, 1982-88; Katrien DeDecker, Volleyball, 1996; Jim Dutcher, Basketball Coach, 1975-86; Marty Knight, Swimming, 1969; Jim Mattson, Hockey, 1954; Rebecca "Becky" (Fettig) Siekmeier, Track & Field, 1985; Karie (Ploof) Tuttle, Gymnastics, 1983; Kathy Williams, Golf, 1981. Six Legends are also a part of the Class of 2005: Theodore "Ted" J. Cox, Football, Track & Field, Basketball, 1924; Ralph Green, Track & Field, 1937; Dwight T. Reed, Football, 1937; Lorin Solon, Football & Baseball, 1915; Beverly Gammon Vanstrum, Golf, 1952; Fred O. Watson, Cross Country, Track & Field, 1916.
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor achievements and to preserve the tradition of those athletes, coaches and athletic staff members who have contributed in an outstanding and positive way to the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department.
The criteria for induction to the Hall of Fame include four different categories: significant accomplishments by a former student-athlete; significant achievements by a former coach or administrator; significant contributions of time, talent or resources to the athletics department by someone other than an athlete, coach or administrator, and significant professional achievement by a former Minnesota student-athlete. Former student-athletes inducted for significant accomplishments become eligible for selection five years after the expiration of their eligibility, while former coaches and staff members must have served the department for five years to be eligible.
The Class of 2005 will be inducted into the University of Minnesota "M" Club Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Banquet, Thursday, Sept. 22. The banquet will be held at the McNamara Alumni Center on the Minnesota campus and will kickoff the Hall of Fame Weekend. The inductees will also be honored at the women's soccer match on Friday and at halftime of the Gophers' homecoming game against Purdue on Saturday.
For Hall of Fame banquet ticket information, contact the M Club at (763) 566-5895 or log onto www.GopherMClub.org.