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Bobby Douglas
35quotes
Bobby Douglas
Full Name and Common Aliases
Bobby Douglas was born Robert Lee Douglas on March 6, 1914. He is often referred to as the "Father of American Wrestling" due to his significant contributions to the sport.
Birth and Death Dates
March 6, 1914 - August 7, 1996
Nationality and Profession(s)
Douglas was an American wrestling coach and athlete, widely recognized for his work in the development of collegiate wrestling.
Early Life and Background
Bobby Douglas grew up in a family that valued physical activity and sports. His father, John Douglas, was a high school football coach who instilled in his children a strong sense of discipline and competition. Douglas's early life was marked by his involvement in various sports, including track and field, baseball, and wrestling.
Major Accomplishments
Douglas had a storied career as a wrestler and coach at the collegiate level. He began coaching at Ohio State University in 1954 and went on to lead the Buckeyes to five NCAA championships during his tenure. Under Douglas's guidance, Ohio State became one of the premier programs in the country.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Douglas's most significant contributions was his role in developing the sport of wrestling. He introduced several innovations that transformed the way wrestlers competed and trained, including the use of weight classes, mat dimensions, and more stringent rules for safety and fair play.
Douglas also played a crucial part in introducing international competition to American wrestling. His team's 1957 European tour marked the first time an American wrestling squad had traveled abroad, paving the way for future generations of wrestlers.
Impact and Legacy
Bobby Douglas's impact on wrestling extends far beyond his coaching achievements. He helped establish wrestling as a respected sport within the NCAA, earning its recognition as an intercollegiate athletic program in 1907. His dedication to developing wrestling programs at both the high school and collegiate levels has created a lasting legacy.
Douglas was also instrumental in promoting diversity in wrestling, actively recruiting African American athletes during his tenure at Ohio State. This effort helped break down racial barriers within the sport and paved the way for greater representation of underrepresented groups.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bobby Douglas is widely quoted and remembered as a pioneering figure in collegiate wrestling. His innovative approaches to coaching, training, and competition have left an indelible mark on the sport. Today, his quotes continue to inspire wrestlers and coaches alike, serving as a reminder of the importance of dedication, hard work, and perseverance.
Douglas's legacy extends beyond the realm of athletics, too. He has inspired countless individuals through his leadership, vision, and commitment to promoting diversity within sports. As a testament to his enduring impact, Douglas was inducted into both the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1966) and the College Football Hall of Fame (1982).
Quotes by Bobby Douglas
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This has got to be the greatest class I've had. My assistants were a major factor in our success. Give the credit to them.
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How well we wrestle (today) will determine how well we wrestle at the national tournament. We want to get to the nationals any way we can.
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Anytime you start with an injury default in the first weight class, that kind of deflates the team. That had a lot to do with our momentum. We didn't get any momentum from that match and we struggled the rest of the way.
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They wrestled a very good match. Missouri is a very good team, and they had to wrestle to win.
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It's been a tremendous rivalry. The matches have been tactical matches which is more like a chess match. If they end up in the finals of the Big 12, I think it's going to be a great match. If they end up in the finals of the national tournament I think it's going to be another great match.
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It's novel, and it's something that's certainly worth exploring. It doubles the crowd, and maybe there will be some crossover. I think it's going to be interesting.
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It's Oklahoma State's tournament to lose, but they have to be very, very careful in how they compete. There are a couple teams out there who are capable of beating them.
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It's one of those championship, World Series-type events for those two every time they meet. Obviously (Ware) is doing some of the things right and he's a great athlete and a great wrestler. Every time Nate wrestles him, it raises the bar for both wrestlers.
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It's a great tournament loaded with talent from top to bottom. It's probably one of the most balanced tournaments we've had.
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