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| | Thursday, April 26 Chat wrap: Dan Gable | ||||||
On the mat, Gable had an amazing run through high school and college, compiling a combined 182-1 record. After winning his first 117 matches at Iowa State, including two NCAA championships, the three-time All-American suffered his lone defeat when he was upset as a senior in the 1970 NCAA final. Gable rebounded and starred in international competition, climaxed by his winning a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, where he didn't surrender a point in six matches.
Below is a transcript from Gable's April 26 chat:
 Dan Gable at 12:57pm ET
Hello everyone. I am here and ready to take your questions! Robert Allen from tnt1.topeka.ks.da.uu.net at 12:58pm ET If you could do anything over in wrestling what would it be? I know you have done about everything but there must be something! Dan Gable at 1:00pm ET
Yeah, it's a different day and age now though. You know more and are more educated. At that time, I wouldn't have been able to do some things. I would have watched more video if I had had it. Not so much about my opponents but my technical abilities. I would also win that last match against Owens and still find a way to be as good as I got afterwards. sda24 from [216.120.192.65] at 1:01pm ET When you won the gold medal in '72, were you ever intimidated by any of your oppenents? Dan Gable at 1:02pm ET
Not at all! That is the one thing that amazes me still today. I used my opponenets to motivate me but it never entered my mind how good they were. There was a six0-time Olympic winner in my weight class but I didn't even think about it. Tom Franck from proxy.aol.com at 1:03pm ET It doesn't seem clear as to what the new administration's position on interpreting Title IX is. Some comments were made at the Republican National Convention that they'd like to see a change, but I haven't heard anything since. What's up? Dan Gable at 1:05pm ET
Well, the latest is they haven't been in office long enough to make major changes. IF there are majore changes, it won't be immediate. There are a lot of issues to discuss. The biggest ones that appear to be in the process are in the civil rights area. Deciding certain areas of importance for this law. I do believe that changes are needed even though some people would disagree because the effects are devastating to some people. Kim Oren from [134.68.149.181] at 1:05pm ET What do you think about freestyle wrestling compared to college rules? Are U.S. wrestlers at a disadvantage in international competition because they learn a different style growing up? Dan Gable at 1:07pm ET
They can be depending on their style, however they can also be at an advantage because our style creates more positions from scrambling. Overall, yes, it would be simipler to compete one-on-one with the rest of the world. But it makes us unique. The question now is who has the better product but that is another discussion. Our folkstyle gives more differet types of youth to be successful than freestyle does. Chad Allsbury from [64.85.199.200] at 1:08pm ET Any advice for a coach, just starting their program? Dan Gable at 1:09pm ET
Well, I think it depends on the level of expertise you have. If it is high, you will be just fine. If it is not high, the first thing you do is find a good assistant with knowledge of the sport. Dan Gable at 1:09pm ET
Then continue to find people who are of interest and can help you in your development. Andrew MD from syr.edu at 1:10pm ET Mr Gable, do you get any nostalgia at all watching Cael Sanderson wrestling seeing as though he is headed in the same direction you had at one point in your career and what are your thoughts on him? Dan Gable at 1:11pm ET
Of course ... I'm very proud that he is accomoplishing what he is. It is very good for the sport right now. HE has a style that is not only favorable for winning, it's fun to watch. That makes it even better. As far as nostalgic, I would say more excited than anything else. Lou in Dallas from mainstreetinternet.com at 1:12pm ET How is your health these days? Give us an idea of what surgeries you have had? Dan Gable at 1:13pm ET
By the time I go to bed I feel great but when I wake up I don't feel so good! But as the day goes on, I feel better. I work on my health every day. I've adjusted well the last couple years. I'm real healthy in some ways but I have some beat up joints. I'm very thankful for medicine! I'm feeling pretty well though. Dan Gable at 1:14pm ET
To all those who are writing in with such nice comments and wishing me well .. it means so much to me and gives me such inspiration. I appreciate all the people who are pulling together for the future of this sport .. on to more questions ... Martine from lib.upenn.edu at 1:15pm ET What are your current projects? How do you keep yourself busy now that you aren't a head coach anymore? Dan Gable at 1:19pm ET
I'm working with the wrestling rules committee in college and trying to solve some of the weight certification issues. Wrestling people and NCAA people see it different and I'm in the middle between the two. I coach a wrestling club with graduate students, with Olympic potential who are training for the World Finals in June in Cincinnati. Joe Williams, Bill Zadick, Lee Fullheart and Chad Lamer are all in contention for the World Championships in NY in MSG September 26-29. Freestyle, Greco Roman and Women's Freestyle will be featured. I also do corporate speeches and some stuff for the University. I have daughters who run and swim also. I hope to get some fishing in as well! jay from [137.99.74.208], at 1:19pm ET It seems like in so many sports the great participants are not great coaches. Why do you think you were able to excel at both? Dan Gable at 1:21pm ET
All along my career, for some reason the coaches put me in a role above and beyond just me. They must have realized I would have an effect. That gave me some good experience along the way. I also had two of the best coaches of all time Bob Siddens and Dr. Harold Nichols of ISU in college. Both these guys had very unique coaching styles and I kind of combined both of them. I also realized right away that there were so many ways to be successful. I never patterend my coaching after my wresting but rather what my athletes had to offer. Dan Gable at 1:22pm ET
I also figured the sport out to a tee so as not to make too many technical mistakes. Brian Lee from [63.227.75.138] at 1:23pm ET I just want to say that you are definitely MY idol and and one of sports most amazing athletes! I will say that I was VERY disappointed that you were not listed in the TOP 50 ATHELETES of all time!!! I am looking forward to watching the ESPN Classic program tonight! Dan Gable at 1:24pm ET
Yeah, but at least I"m on the show tonight, it's great exposure for the sport. You have to consider the sport and with that in mind, it is very difficult to move aside a football or basketball player. But thanks! klynch from sbi.com at 1:24pm ET How serious do you feel the HS wresling situation has become with to many athletes trying to drop excessive amounts of weight? Glad to see you are doing well... Dan Gable at 1:27pm ET
Weight loss issues can be solved pretty easy with education adn with some rule changes. The close to match weigh in, 1-2 hours, and cons. day weigh in's pretty much do away with guys dehydradrating because it would affect their performance. If they do it once incorrectly they will not do it again. Some of the other issues that committees are trying to put in as safeguards are probably not needed as far as mandatory rules but could be used for guidelines. The whole direction is improving greatly however in some cases, our sport is being held back because of excessive rules and regulations and that is my biggest beef. chris from cottongallery.com at 1:27pm ET Have you ever talked to Owens since he beat you? If so What did you Say? Dan Gable at 1:29pm ET
We've had a few conversations, it took many years to have a mutual conversation, but we still don't feel comfortable. It sure has created a lot of news though. We both feel for the other guy now that we are older. You might not understand what I mean there ... he feels for me becaue I had the chance of a lifetime but I also affected his life according to him as to him not being able to get that high again, in his emotions and the ability to perform. Everything else for him was a letdown it appears where I used it as a motivator. Doug from [216.125.167.229], at 1:29pm ET What do you think is the key to mental discipline. You would have to be pretty single-minded to have the success you have had. Dan Gable at 1:31pm ET
I think the key is people that are having extreme success in a certain area, don't just pick it up at certain times in their mind, very seldom is it far away from their mind, so they are focused more on that 24-hour clock. When something is really meaningful, it can wake you up out of a dead sleep and you can have an answer given to you. Basically, you have a certain drive that creates that mentality that is working nonstop. It just doesn't turn on and off. It is on almost all the time. Brad Henderson from [130.127.3.2], at 1:32pm ET My high school team used to watch your videos with you and your wrestlers as a motivation tool before our matches. Do most of the wrestlers that you coach already have all the motivation that they need, or do your coaching techniques provide them with the confidence that they need to succeed and therefore be motivated? Dan Gable at 1:33pm ET
Alot of them already are really motivated or they wouldn't come here. But the atmosophere from within is what keeps it going and can make it go even higher, hopefully the latter is the case. Your Olympic Hero from [216.143.83.94] at 1:33pm ET What do you think about guys like Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar who parlay their amateur skills into big bucks with the WWF? Are they selling out your sport, or do you think it's good for publicity? Dan Gable at 1:36pm ET
I think if they have that personality then it gives them a great personality. I don't like what some of the WWF represents but if they really care about amateur and Olympic wrestling,, they will plug it somehow. If we can use them in the future that could be a big plug for us. I can't ever say something bad about somebody who does that. The question is just at what expense are they doing it? If they are affecting kids negatively or taint amateur wrestling I would be against it. I know Kurt Angle and I truly belive he will do what he can to help amateur wrestling. Wife of a wrestling coach from accenture.com at 1:36pm ET What advice do have for the wife of a high school wrestling coach? Any great tips? Dan Gable at 1:38pm ET
Yes .. I wish my wife was here to answer this .. she would give herself lots of credit for our victories .. as bad as it is when there is a loss, when I went home to my wife and four daughters it was worse, I had the family structure that was great for winning. We have to give back as well..if your husband coach doesn't give back it defeats the whole purprose. Bryon Tack from co.polk.ia.us at 1:38pm ET What is holding back college wrestling in states like California and Kansas where there is so much high school talent but little to no representation from the colleges. Dan Gable at 1:41pm ET
Fedral laws. Title IX is a factor, one of several though. Some coaches have had positions but don't utilize them. You have to have something besides just the program and for those that just barely existed, they are now eliminated. Any state that has an extrordinary amount of talent there should be more opportunity but some states offer virtually no opportunites at the D1 level. There have been recent high payements of salaries in high profile sports and there just aren't enough wrestling people to keep us where we need to be. But hopefully that can change. In the meantime, those that are in existance have to stay strong and get stronger. Chris Tyler from [204.23.176.60], at 1:41pm ET Glad to know you are doing well...have you ever thought of running for a public office? Dan Gable at 1:42pm ET
It has crossed my mind but when I got out of coaching I realized that I had more control in coaching. To go up a level to public office could be even more of a headache. I don't know if I have that much patience. Lots of adversity comes with that. But I might ... Chad Tomaselli from tnt19.chi5.da.uu.net at 1:42pm ET Did you have any superstitions when you wrestled? Dan Gable at 1:44pm ET
Not really ones that I had to go through .. I just had a routine. It wasn't so much supersticious, it's just what I did. I do everything possible to maximize my body and mind 1-3 hours before competition. That is not that unordinary though. All of a sudden, I never wanted to have a specific thing that would affect me if I forgot about it. Jordan Manske from esu6.org at 1:44pm ET Did you ever think that you'd come this far in the sports world when you were younger? Dan Gable at 1:46pm ET
For some reason I never questioned or asked myself where I would want to be as far as the sport goes, I never put myself in a postiton of authority or a mentor. With that in mind, good things happened and I am here. As strong as a person I might appear to be in the sport, I still can't influence some people that I know what I am talking about. That holds our sport back sometimes. mark sage from public.svc.webtv.net at 1:46pm ET What is in the future for wrestling? Dan Gable at 1:51pm ET
We are pretty well established and have good structure at many of the levels. The only level that is lacking is the collegiate level. Focus and concentration is so important at that level. The future is only as strong as the people and constituents involved to make sure we have as many opportunities as possible. I can't be the only savior. For those who are involved, stay involed and be influential. We need to get on ESPN SportsCenter more and we need to get in USA Today more often!!!! I really appreciate all the attention because I, like everybody else, need to feel strong in what my future is. With this kind of response, it gives me the needed shove to continue doing what I need to do for this sport and make it as good as we can. I'm dealing specicically with weight certification issues and I feel like we need more influence to make sure it comes out the best way possible. Be sure and catch the SportsCentury show at 8 and 11 ET on ESPN Classic tonight .. I haven't watched it yet but I will probably catch the later one. And check out my website at www.dangable.com. Thanks everybody!!!! | |||||||
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Taking over as head coach at Iowa in 1976, he led the Hawkeyes to 15 national titles in 21 seasons, including a record nine consecutive from 1978-86. Iowa won the Big Ten title in each of Gable's 21 seasons and went undefeated seven times. His career coaching record was 355-21-5 for a winning percentage of .938.