Last night there was a party at the Riverside Casino just south of Iowa City, IA for the famous wrestler and wrestling coach Dan Gable. A hundred plus men traveled from all across the country and gathered in a large ballroom to give thanks to the old man for all he's sacrificed for, taught and built into Iowa Wrestling.
Here are a couple thoughts:
1- Gable said "We"....
We worked hard to ....
We built ......
We won ......
We remember .....
We celebrate ......
We look forward and try to continue the tradition!
It was a night for and about him and the first thing he did was make it ours, not just him or he but we! And the next thing he did was challenge us to support the current and future teams, because even though he's retiring, the work is never finished! His words, like wrestling him all those years ago, tends to leave an impression (and a few marks).
2- Gable remembered every move, championship and score. He called out specific moves, who they were against and the results from specific matches that happened 20-25 years ago like they happened that afternoon. I guess that's the advantage of being the best, no one throws you on your head, so your memory stays intact?!
3- Gable is still the coach, 20 years later his voice still commands respect. He wanted us to sit, he said sit and we sat (begrudgingly with a little verbal abuse, just like the old days). He wanted us to stand still for a photo, we did as we were told (sort of). He threatened to call some of the guys who didn't make it to the party last night.... I feel sorry for their asses this morning because you know he called them and he called early!
4- A few humorous points in the evening:
Randy Lewis telling the story of Alger abusing Martin after he loses the last wrestle-off of the year. Various versions exist, but it ends with Coach Gable giving details to the starters about their travel schedule while Martin whimpers on the bleachers nearby. Alger says, "Coach Gable, Martin wants to know what time the JV bus is leaving for Big Tens?"
Jeff Kerber telling a story about one of the last meets wrestled against Okie State at the old Field House before Carver Arena was finished. The story goes that Mike Allen was a young official and was calling stalling on anyone who stepped backwards. Allen disqualifies the first Okie State guy in 4 minutes, then disqualifies Tim Riley (Iowa) in about the same time. Kerber goes out, wrestles tight (due to the aforementioned barrage of stalling calls) and loses a tight match against a future national champ. Pissed at his performance Kerber refuses to return to the field house floor, showers and heads to a local drinking establishment (The Vine). As Kerber walks in the front door of the bar he immediately sees the patrons are all watching the meet Live on TV. He looks around the bar for a dark place to sit and sees a familiar face.... The aforementioned Tim Riley was already at the bar drinking. Riley's only response.... "Sorry, Kerbs, I didn't stay for your match."
Royce Alger telling the "Okay Larry" story about he and Gable's verbal exchange after a ill fated Iowa State meet.
5- Other announcements, questions and comments:
The award for "who gained the most wieght since college" was officially "too close to call". Unofficially there was only one clear winner, I can't really divulge the name publicly, but his name ryhmes with.... Mark Reiland.
Questions still surround a possible Alger serenading of Coach Gable during this evening's public retirement event (820 people, guest speakers and press in attendance). Odds are now 3-1 Par Mar Security tries to step in and ruin the performance, but we have faith the sultry rasp of Royce's voice will convince the powers to be to let it happen.
Another question... Why do good looking women marry the Heffernan brothers? Intriguing minds want to know.... It definately isn't for the looks or their strong bone structure. It's rumored John's son even had a knee brace in place at birth.
And finally the award for "most chemically dependent" goes to a Marty Kistler! We're not sure what he's on, but the week-old chew in his lip and the 17 beers didn't really scratch the surface of his buzz.....
That is all for now sports fans, respectfully submitted....
Iowa Boy Inside
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