The Guillotine

Update

May 24, 2006

The late Craig Olsen family with presenter Mike Clock of Pacific University at the Oregon National Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet on April 29, 2006 in Portland, OR. Pictured (L-R): Alicia Olsen (wife), Janice Olsen (mother), Christine (sister), Mike Clock (presenter), Carl Olsen (brother), and Kai Olsen (son).

2006 National Wrestling Hall Of Fame Inductee Craig Olsen

February 24, 2006

Craig Olsen will be one of six inductees into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame by the Oregon Chapter on April 29, 2006 at the Holiday Inn, Wilsonville (Portland), Oregon. Other inductees that evening include Marlin Grahn, Portland State U and Bob Riehm, Southern Oregon U and three high school coaches.

Craig began coaching following his graduation from Augsburg College in 1975.

His coaching career included stints at the following:

• High Schools: Brownton HS (MN), Park Cottage Grove HS (MN) and Gresham HS (OR)
• Colleges: Asst coach at University Minn. Morris (2yrs), University of South Dakota (2yrs), Pacific U (1yr), Head Coach at University Minn. Morris (6yrs), Pacific U (4yrs).

During his college coaching career he had several young men achieve All American status and two of his UMM athletes ultimately made the US Olympic team in Greco Roman: Dennis Koslowski (’88, ’92), Duane Koslowski (’88). At Pacific University, Chuck Ahsmuhs, an NAIA Hall of Famer, was a National Champion during Craig’s tenure.

In addition to coaching, Craig served in several volunteer positions in Our Sport. These included:

• President of the NAIA Coaches Association
• NAIA District seeding representative
• Served as Assistant coach of an NAIA combined team to Greece and Yugoslavia and arranged funding for his Pacific U team to travel to Korea for competition
• Developed a commuter summer wrestling camp that has evolved into one of the most popular in the Midwest.
• Developed the UMM Christmas tournament featuring both a high school and college division

Perhaps Craig’s greatest traits were his honesty, attention to detail, steady guidance and the ability to find some humor in almost any situation.

For those who don’t know Craig died of cancer in January 2004.

His wife, mother and siblings will be in attendance at the awards banquet. Please join us in celebrating his life and his contributions to wrestling.

Tickets are available through Mike Clock or Spencer Yohe. Feel free to call Mike at 503-357-7037 or Spencer at 320-392-5847. They can give you more specific information on accommodations and tickets. The cost for the banquet and presentation is $35.