Nine inducted into the Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling
Hall of Fame
Nine Minnesota wrestling greats were honored at the Minnesota Chapter
of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet held at the Owatonna
Holiday Inn on April 22, 2006.
2006 Hall of Fame
inductees
Brad Rheingans - Outstanding American
Bob "Bart" Bardwell - Medal of Courage
Dan Chandler - Lifetime Service
Al Hendrickson - Lifetime Service
Eiler Henrickson - Lifetime Service
Garth Lappin - Lifetime Service
Richard "Dick" Shiels - Lifetime Service
Glen Swenson - Lifetime Service
Paul Ehrhard - Lifetime Service
2006 Minnesota Chapter of the National
Hall of Fame inductees: Front (L-R): Garth Lappin, Robert “Bart”
Bardwell, Richard “Dick” Shiels, Al Hendrickson, Glen Swenson. Back
(L-R): Eiler L. Henrickson, Dan Chandler, Paul Ehrhard, and Brad
Rheingans.
The following are short biographies of this year’s nine Hall of Fame
inductees.
Brad
Rheingans - Outstanding American
This Appleton, Minnesota native may have been raised in a 'small' town,
but everything else he did was 'Big'! From collegiate to Olympic to
Professional wrestling fame. Brad Rheingans, is a well known name to
the sport of wrestling.
As an All-State football player, two-time Minnesota State Wrestling
Champion, 1971 High School All-American wrestler and National Junior
World Greco-Roman Champion, Rheingans had plenty of credentials
entering college. His success did not stop here.
Rheingans attended North Dakota State University and under legendary
coach Bucky Maughan he became a 1975 NCAA Division II National
Champion, four-time NCAA All-American, three-time North Central
Conference Champion and was voted 1975 'Outstanding Athlete' at NDSU
and 'Outstanding Athlete' of the State of North Dakota. He graduated
from NDSU with majors in pharmacy and human physiology.
Upon his graduation he entered the Greco-Roman wrestling scene. His
success continued. His fame just increased to an ever larger audience.
He became a 1975 World team member, five-time National AAU Champion,
1976 Olympic Trials Champion, became the highest placing Greco wrestler
for the USA ever to that date, placing 4th, at the Olympics. He went on
to become 1976 World Cup Freestyle Champion, two-time National USWF
Greco-Roman Champion and placed 4th at the 1978 World Tournament in
Mexico City. He was a 2nd place winner in the 1978 Mustafa World
Tournament in Alexandria, Egypt; two-time Gold Medalist in the Pan
American Games and was a 1979 Bronze Medalist in the World
Championships in San Diego, CA. When he had an opportunity to becoming
America's first ever Greco-Roman Olympic Champion the USA Team was
boycotted from participating in the 1980 Olympic Games by President
Jimmy Carter.
Rheingan's fame made him an obvious choice for Professional Wrestling
and he signed with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1981. He
was trained by legendary Vern Gagne, wrestling with that organization
through 1986. He then signed with the New Japan Pro Wrestling and has
worked as wrestler and scout ever since. He and partner, Ken Patera,
were AWA World Tag Team Champions. They were called 'The Olympians'. As
a coach, Rheingans, served as the 1984 Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling
Assistant Coach. He served as assistant coach at the University of
Minnesota in 1975 through 1978 and at North Dakota State University in
1979 and 1980. As an actor, he auditioned for the part of the "Russian"
in the movie Rocky IV (1984). He was also a stuntman in the Walt Disney
movie "Bad Guys (1985)." He owned and operated World Wide School of
Professional Wrestling, Inc., from 1984 to 2004.
Rheingans was an accomplished athlete in other sports as well. In
football he was named to the 1970 All-State Team two times where he was
also an all-conference selection, and was co-captain and voted most
valuable player. In the sport of track he was two-time Little Sioux
Conference and District Champion in the discuss and shot put, and he
still holds the school record at 47'9" in the shot put. As a wrestler,
he was coached in high school by Bucky Maughan's brother, Robert
Maughan.
Rheingans is a member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling "Hall of
Fame", NCAA Division II Wrestling "Hall of Fame," and the 2004
International Wrestling "Hall of Fame".
Brad continues to work with the New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Inc. He
travels back and forth from Japan. He is a tremendous Ambassador for
our sport and he will always be remembered in legendary proportions in
the history of amateur wrestling. Minnesota is proud to claim him as
our native son.
Bob
"Bart" Bardwell - Medal of Courage
Former Stewartville High School Coach, Howard Sloneker, in his
nomination letter, I think best describes the courageous and
accomplished life of Bob "Bart" Bardwell when he says, "I unequivocally
endorse Bob, as a candidate for the Medal of Courage Award, and I thank
you for the privilege to do so. It would be a major error on my part,
or anyone who knows Bob, not to admire the tremendous courage and faith
he has demonstrated after his very unfortunate accident that paralyzed
him from the waist down. This only inspired him to new heights. He used
that character to build facilities called Ironwood Spring Ranch,
recognized not only locally, but state, national, and to a degree,
international wide. Many youth, adults and organizations have
experienced and continue to experience the benefits of his vision and
foresight." Bob "Bart" Bardwell is the Minnesota Chapter of the
National Wrestling Hall of Fame's 2006 'Medal of Courage' recipient.
As a wrestler Bardwell competed for five years at Stewartville High
School and was on the varsity for four years. He qualified for Regions
each year under the then tough 'one class' system. He was unable to
compete his senior year due to an injury. He continued his wrestling
career in college at Pillsbury Baptist College (Owatonna, MN) where he
compiled a 744 record and was Team Captain. His 10-year wrestling
career ended upon another injury while training for the 1972 Olympic
Games Trials in Anoka, Minnesota.
A heavy construction accident left Bardwell paralyzed from the waist
down in 1973. His injury only served as an inspiration though. He
became founder (1976) and current executive director of a nonprofit
organization called Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch serving 23,000
kids and adults each year. This ranch serves the 'physically
challenged' from across the country and several foreign countries. The
past 17 years Bardwell has also served as a national motivational
speaker and authored the book "The Marathons of Life."
Bardwell continued his athletic participation by competing in 100
marathons between 1983 and 2002. He was a first place finisher in
several of them, including the Twin Cities Marathon, three years in a
row, from 1985 to 1987.
The Minnesota Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud
to present the Medal of Courage to a most deserving and courageous
athlete, and humanitarian, in Bob "Bart" Bardwell.
Dan
Chandler - Lifetime Service Honoree
When you talk about wrestling history in Minnesota the name of Dan
Chandler has to be mentioned. This 12-time National Greco-Roman
Champion, three-time Olympian, three-time World place-winner placing
6th in 1977, 6th in 1978 and 5th in 1979, two-time Pan American Games
Champion (1975, 1979) and a wrestler with 11 international medals would
be enough to qualify him as legendary proportions in Minnesota
Wrestling. However, his many contributions go well beyond his former
status as a Greco-Roman Wrestler.
Chandler is a three-time Olympic Team Coach. He has coached the Senior
Greco team since 1982. He has coached the likes of Minnesota greats Jim
Martinez 1984 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Dennis Kozlowski 1992 Olympic
Silver Medalist, Brandon Paulson 1996 Olympic Silver Medalist, Garrett
Lowney 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Mike Houck 1985 World Champion,
and Mike Foy 1989 World Runner-up.
He is a member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame
(1992), named five times
as USA Wrestling 'National Coach of the Year' (1994, 1995, 1997, 1999,
2000); US Olympic Committee 'Coach of the Year' for the 2000 Olympics
and is a gold level coach with the USAW, named in 2004. He has served
as Minnesota USA coach for several years and also volunteered his time
as a coach in the Minneapolis Park and Rec., program since 1989. He
also served as head coach at the University of St. Thomas in the late
1980's. Currently he serves as State Coach and General Manager for
Minnesota USA Wrestling, Inc.
Chandler got his start as a high school wrestler at Anoka under Coach
Ron Malcolm. He went on to the University of Minnesota where he placed
3rd and 4th in the Big 10 and served as Team Captain his senior year
for Coach Wally Johnson's Gopher Team.
Longtime North Dakota State University Coach Bucky Maughan says, "Dan
Chandler is one of the real leaders in making Minnesota wrestling as
good as it is. He's been a major player." Obviously statements like
that show the high regard for Chandler's contributions to the sport of
wrestling. However, the respect he has from the wrestlers he's coached
is phenomenal. Wrestler, Mike Fiedler, says, "When he (Chandler) talks
everybody listens. Everybody freezes and watches him. Anything he says
a wrestler will do or try to do. You want to impress him."
Coach Chandler has brought Greco-Roman Wrestling to a higher level of
achievement as USA Olympic coach. He coached Rulon Gardner to one of
Olympic history's most historic victories in winning his gold medal by
defeating the Russian, Alexander Karelin, a three-time Olympic
Champion! Dan is truly one of the greatest contributors as an athlete
and coach to making Minnesota Wrestling a great success and bringing it
recognition throughout the country and world.
Al
Hendrickson - Lifetime Service Honoree
The sport of wrestling began at Moorhead State College in 1952.
Hendrickson joined the program in 1953, he lettered his first year.
That early beginning became a trademark for Hendrickson as he was
responsible for starting several high school programs. He started the
program at Herman High School and helped Hancock High School coach, Ron
Kragness get wrestling started at Hancock. His efforts inspired other
schools to start programs as well.
After four years at Herman High School, Hendrickson moved on to
Appleton High School. He began officiating in 1965. The following year
he took the coaching, position at Morris High School, remaining there
until retirement in 1982, 25 years later. After retirement he
volunteered his time as a coaching assistant at the University of
Minnesota-Morris for two years and later volunteered at Morris High
School for several years. His career coaching, record stood at 209-90-2
with 26 State Qualifiers and eight State place winners. Roger Bonk
(1962), Dan Ambom (1969), and Mike Hendrickson were State runner-ups.
Tom Beyer, a former state placer (4th place in 1976) went on to become
a four-time All-American and National Champion while wrestling at the
University of Minnesota-Morris, as did Al's son, Mike, who became an
All-American at UMM.
Hendrickson's team captured District titles in District 13 in 1965,
District 21 in 1967, 1977, 1978, 1979 and won a Region title in 1968.
His teams were Region runner-ups in 1967, 1978, and 1979. West Central
Conference titles were won in 1967, 1968, 1979, and 1980.
Al takes pride in hosting the first 'free' West Central Area Wrestling
Camp at Morris High School. He has also been a clinician for Spencer
Yohe's Greg Schwartz Memorial Wrestling Camp.
Hendrickson is a charter member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota
Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1973, he was also presented the 'Outstanding
Contributor Award' at the 1973 Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament for
his contributions to the state tourney. He has received the NWCA
distinguished 25 year service award. Great Falls, Montana athletic
director, Jim Grant, probably sums up the kind of person and coach Al
Hendrickson was when he states: "Al Hendrickson is a first class guy.
He is a solid citizen whose word is his bond. He is a highly
principled, trustworthy man of integrity. He is honest, reliable, and
caring. He has lived all facets of his life in exemplary fashion. He
has been a great husband, father, coach/leader, friend and citizen. He
is a fine role model for young people."
Al Hendrickson has served Minnesota high school wrestling well. He was
a pioneer for several high school programs in the state. He served the
wrestling community by his contributing efforts to making the high
school state tournament better. He was a successful coach who motivated
young men to success on and off the mats. He is one of Minnesota's
great educator's whose efforts as a coach went the extra mile to
motivate young men to accomplish great feats.
Eiler
Henrickson - Lifetime Service Honoree
One of Minnesota's pioneers in wrestling was Carleton College Coach
Eiler Henrickson, a premier amateur wrestler, wrestling official and
outstanding educator for over 50 years.
Raised in Deerwood, Minnesota, Henrickson attended Crosby-Ironton High
School where he participated in football, basketball, and track. He
graduated in 1938. Upon graduation he played for the Deerwood Blazers
in the Independent Basketball League. He attended Carleton College in
Northfield in 1939, graduating in 1943. At Carleton he participated in
football, wrestling and track. He even occasionally ran cross country
during half-time of the football games.
In track, Henrickson really excelled. He ran the half-mile, one mile,
two mile and quarter mile. He set Carleton College records in both the
indoor and outdoor one mile and outdoor two mile races. As a wrestler,
Henrickson went undefeated in three years of competition, defeating
opponents from the University of Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and
Cornell College, a powerhouse at that time. He wrestled the Northwest
AAU National Tournament in New York City, losing by one point to the
eventual champion. He was Carleton's team captain and student coach in
1942-43. He established Carlton College Wrestling's coveted "Brueggeman
Memorial Award" for outstanding sportsmanship, loyalty, leadership and
contributions to wrestling.
In 1958 Henrickson was offered the position of head football coach and
athletic director but declined to pursue his love of Geology, serving
as a professor for the next 41 years. He taught an additional 10 years
at Colorado College.
Henrickson officiated high school and college wrestling for 30 years
and officiated at the Minnesota State High School tournament for 18
years. He also officiated several Big 10 and college national
tournaments.
Eiler was elected as a charter member of the Carlton College Athletic
Hall of Fame in 1976. He also received the 25 year service award from
the NWCA in appreciation for his outstanding contributions to
wrestling. He is a member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall
of Fame, and Crosby-Ironton Athletic Hall of Fame. He continued to
wrestle and participate with others athletes until age 72.
As a World renowned economic geologist, Henrickson has done research in
Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Alaska, Canada and numerous other countries and
territories. He published scientific papers in books and journals, and
he toured on the lecture circuit to 23 universities in 15 countries. He
is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, American Men
of Science, Who's Who in Science and Technology and other publications.
This is a gentleman of great magnitude, who's passion for athletics led
him to our great sport of wrestling. He participated to the highest
level as a competitor, a coach and an official. Minnesota wrestling is
considered some of the best in the country due to the efforts of men
like
Eiler Henrickson 2006 Lifetime Service Honorees
Garth
Lappin - Lifetime Service Honoree
A Big 10 Champion, NCAA National Runner-up and Team Captain at
the University of Minnesota, Garth Lappin continued that same success
as a coach and later, became the first principal at both Coon Rapids
Junior High and Coon Rapids High School. He is one of the great names
attributed to Minnesota Wrestling legend.
Garth was born in 1921 in northern Iowa and educated in a one room
school house. He started wrestling in Cresco, Iowa, a small community
with a tremendous tradition of turning out wrestling legends. He served
with the U.S. Navy in World War II.
Lappin started his teaching and coaching career in 1949 at Anoka High
School where his teams accumulated a 102-17 win-loss record. He coached
two Minnesota State Championship teams and 16 individual State
Champions. He is a member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall
of Fame. He also wrestled for Coach Bartelma at the University of
Minnesota.
Lappin was a tireless promoter of wrestling and one of Minnesota's
pioneers in the sport. During the emergence of youth wrestling in
Minnesota, Garth arranged for both AAU and Wrestling Federation
Tournaments that were held at Anoka and Coon Rapids High Schools. He
arranged for the USA team to wrestle the USSR touring team at Anoka
High School. He served wrestling in Minnesota from 1949 to 1972.
"Lappin was an active wrestling official at the high school and
collegiate, and he was one of the founders of the first wrestling
officials association in the metro area. In 1972 he was the tournament
director of the United States Olympic Wrestling Trials held in Anoka.
Garth gave back to wrestling for decades and provided support for many
wrestling activities," says Don Meyers, also a former high school
coach, principal and Hall of Fame Member.
Minnesota Chapter President, Spencer Yohe, says, "There is no question
that Garth was one of the greatest wrestlers in Minnesota Gopher
history, and was one of the outstanding leaders and pioneers, and one
of the best coaches in the state of Minnesota during his era. The state
of Minnesota has certainly benefited and become stronger over the years
because of the guidance and direction from the likes of "Garth Lappin."
Since retiring, Lappin, has continued to be active. He has volunteered
for numerous organizations including Save the Children Craft Shop and
the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Committee, which he has chaired. He served
for 25 years (through 2000) on the board of the Harlan R Thurston
Foundation, which has provided thousands of dollars in loans for higher
and vocational education to deserving students in Anoka-Hennepin
District #11; He volunteered with the Hospice Program of North Memorial
Medical Center for 14 years.
Garth Lappin is a name that will always be associated with the growth
and development of Minnesota high school wrestling. He was also one of
the State's first great coaches. This former Minnesota Gopher star will
always be remembered in legendary proportions.
Richard
"Dick" Shiels - Lifetime Service Honoree
One of the great coaches from southern Minnesota was that of
Faribault's Dick Shiels. Shiels led the Faribault Falcons to two state
consolation championships in 1977 and 1982 and three region titles in
1967, 1977, 1982, while finishing second five times. The Falcons also
captured five titles in the tough Big Nine Conference under Shiels.
Dick attended Fairmont High School as a freshman and sophomore then his
family moved to Waterloo, Iowa where he attended West Waterloo High
School. This is the same school where legendary Dan Gable wrestled
under coaching legend Bob Siddens. After graduation in 1948 he then
attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern
Iowa).
Shiels served his country well by fulfilling a military tour of duty
during the Korean War for three years. He came back to Iowa State
Teachers College and graduated in 1956. He began his teaching and
coaching career in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa school system where he taught
and coached at the junior high level.
In 1960, Dick moved to Faribault, where he was a teacher, coach,
counselor, and later principal, for 33 years. An assistant to Jerry
Schroeder for five years, Dick took over the head coach wrestling job
in 1965, coaching until 1983. He retired from education in 1993, along
with his wife, Betty.
Shiels coached eight individual state champions and 46 state place
winners, several of these in the old 'one class' system. Considering
the tough competition back then in Region One only compliments these
already impressive numbers. However, even with tough individual
athletes on his teams Shiels understood importance of coaching all the
athletes. He would always say, "Good kids will always win, but the
average kids win the dual meets for you."
Dick's remaining 12 years in education were spent as a counselor and
junior high principal. He certainly served many students and teachers.
He is also proud of his family. His son, Mark, is a medical doctor in
Rockford, Illinois. Tim, a well known official at the collegiate level
who was an All-American wrestler at the University of Minnesota-Morris
and former coach at St. Olaf College. Daughter, Barbara, is an attorney
for the University of Minnesota. Youngest daughter, Betsy, is employed
by Ameriprise.
Dick Shiels was a part of powerful southern Minnesota wrestling history
during some of its most formative years. He coached some of the best
teams in the state. He helped make Faribault wrestling a well known
powerhouse in Minnesota high school wrestling and he
helped motivate many young people to successful lives, whether on the
mats or off. Shiels will always be remembered among some of Minnesota's
finest coaches.
Glen
Swenson - Lifetime Service Honoree
Born in Floodwood, Minnesota in 1924. He attended public schools in
Grand Rapids. He graduated in 1942 from Grand Rapids High School.
Swenson then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He was
trained as a navigator and served in that capacity with the eighth Air
Force in England. He flew 24 missions. Upon his discharge he enrolled
at St. Olaf College and graduated with a B.S. degree in physical
education, with a minor in biology, science and mathematics in 1950. He
went on to receive a Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota
and a Specialist Degree from Mankato State College (1974).
Swenson started his education career as an instructor for the
University of Minnesota at the North Central School of Agriculture near
Grand Rapids, teaching from 1951 to 1954. He did everything from
teaching physical education and health to running the intramural
program, supervising a dormitory, to coaching football and restarting
wrestling. In 1954 he took a teaching position at the junior high in
Grand Rapids. He was there 20 years and 10 more at the high school. He
served as assistant coach in football and served twice as a head
wrestling coach (1955-58, 1967), while serving 16 years as an assistant
to legendary head coach "Skip" Nalan, (1960-66), Jack Willhite, (1958,
1959) and John Curran, (1954).
Swenson helped guide the 1961 Grand Rapids team to a state runner-up
finish under head coach Jack Willhite. Former Grand Rapids great James
Kamman says, "Most of the wrestlers were brought into the program and
coached by Swens." All got their start by Swens in the early 1950s.
Many of these kids would not have been able to compete
but for Swens providing them a ride after practice." Swenson was a
great contributor to Minnesota wrestling having served as MWCA
President. He was awarded the honor of 'Outstanding Contributions to
Wrestling Award.'
As a head coach, Swenson's record was 34-10-1. The varsity team
record while he served as an assistant was 152-28-3. Swenson was
credited with recruiting a number of Grand Rapids future stars while
they were young prospects in junior high. He also had made contact with
youth as a member of the Grand Rapids Recreation Board for 12 years and
Swenson officiated from 1952 to 1965. Swenson is a member of the Dave
Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Grand Rapids High
School Wrestling Hall of Fame. His contributions to wrestling were many
and those who worked with him are well aware of them.
Swenson is currently an avid fisherman, antique gas engine restorer,
private pilot and a radio controlled airplane enthusiast.
It's time for a true unsung hero to be honored for his many
contributions to the young men he provided opportunities to over the
years. Kamman says, "Swenson is one of the true pioneers in promoting
and spreading wrestling, especially in the northern part of the state.
He worked tirelessly over decades to develop the sport and spread it
throughout the State. He started in the era of canvas mats, tights, no
tops, and hard head gear or no head gear."
Paul
Ehrhard - Lifetime Service Honoree
One of Minnesota's true coaching legends is Paul Ehrhard. Ehrhard made
the southern Minnesota community of Albert Lea a well known name to
sports fans across the state. As an assistant coach in football and
head coach in wrestling he helped guide teams to a combined six state
championships. As a football coach, Ehrhard was defensive coordinator
and offensive line coach on teams that were three times named
Minnesota's best by the Minneapolis Star & Tribune and the St. Paul
Pioneer Press. As a head wrestling coach his Tiger teams captured three
state championships, two individual team titles in 1966 and 1971, while
winning one of the first Dual Meet Team titles in 1976. Ehrhard is also
a member of the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame and a
former Minnesota State Wrestling "Coach of the Year".
A 1951 graduate of Montgomery High School he went on to play football
and baseball at the College of St Thomas where he became a three-time
MIAC. All-Conference football player. He was also introduced to the
sport of wrestling at St Thomas.
Ehrhard began his coaching career in 1956 at Kasson-Mantorville where
he coached three sports in football, wrestling and baseball. He moved
to Albert Lea in 1957, serving as head football coach for 18 years and
head wrestling coach for 20 years.
Under Ehrhard's direction the Tigers of Albert Lea would capture 11 Big
Nine Conference titles, 11 Region one (Section) titles and place in the
top two 17 of 20 years. The Tigers captured 16 of 17 District Two
titles. He coached 13 individual State Champions. At one point the
Tigers won a string of 102 straight dual meet victories on the road,
against one of the State's toughest schedules. His career coaching
record at Albert Lea was 234-25-6.
A number of his wrestlers went on to capture All-American of NCAA
national championship honors, including the legendary Chuck Jean
(two-time NCAAI and two-time NAIA national champion), Jim Lunde, Larry
Goodnature, Larry Kilstadius, Lew Kennedy, Neal Skaar, and Tom Jean.
Gary Neist was a 1972 Greco-Roman Olympian. A number of these have gone
on to successful wrestling coaching careers, as well as Jerry Bakke at
Buffalo and Dwight Gingerich at Rochester Mayo High School. Other
success stories include Lew Kennedy in business, Jeff Brooke as a
Personal Injury Lawyer, and Dr. Bob Hatch as chairman of the History
Department at the University of Florida. Ehrhard's sons, both state
place-winners for Albert Lea, are Colonels in the U.S. Air Force. Tom,
a Full Colonel. placed 4th in state in 1976. David, a Lt. Colonel, was
state runner-up in 1983.
As a wrestling official, Ehrhard was among the most notable in the
country working NCAA and NAIA national tournaments, as well as meets in
the Big 10, Big 8, NCC, NIC, MIAC and Iowa Athletic Conferences.
Ehrhard was also very active in the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches
Association. He was among the leaders of a small group of coaches who
took the dual meet format to the MSHSL for approval. This format change
greatly increased the enthusiasm and attendance at the Minnesota state
wrestling tournament.
As a camp clinician Ehrhard was the featured clinician at the
nationally recognized Concordia College Clinic for many years. He was
also featured at the Fall Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Clinic, as well
as clinics at the University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota,
Iowa State University and others.
Lew Kennedy, Ehrhard's first state champion in 1960 recalls Coach
Ehrhard's dedication to innovative ways to teach moves. "He used logic
to always start at the beginning of a move and build on it from there.
He was always totally prepared and had our opponents well scouted."
Gerry Bakke, one of Ehrhard's state place winner's at Albert Lea,
stated the following in his nomination of his high school coach: "Coach
Ehrhard had some detractors over the years because of his passion. He
never talked to us about winning but only doing the best that we could.
He set the bar high by his own preparation which he transferred team so
we always felt we could win. No one wanted to win more than he did.
Deep down to him winning the state championship was what really
counted. However, he also knew that taking boys and turning them into
men was his primary goal in coaching." Paul Ehrhard was a great coach,
motivator and a great leader of men.
