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Reunion August 26-27, 2016 |
WRESTLING 1964 - 1968 |
The ISU 1964-1968 Wrestling Team Story Summary: Written by: ~~~~~ |
Individual Team Member Stories Jessie Eddy |
Leroy Harris
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Gary Huff
During grad school I wrestled in a AAU club for a couple of years and coached high school wrestling, on the side. After graduation I did a one year internship as a youth minister in Arcadia California and was ordained in the Methodist Church. Lony and I soon realized that wasn’t a good fit for us. So after the internship I took a position with the YMCA in Fullerton CA, in a Y that was just for teenagers, and I served as a counselor for disturbed teens. After two years, the Y CEO asked if I would help start a new Y next door, in Yorba Linda, CA and focus on prevention rather than rehabilitation. It was the perfect fit for me: a mix of body, mind, spirit and social skills. I would spend the next 26 years in various YMCA positions: Associate Executive at the Downtown Seattle YMCA, CEO at the Boise Idaho Y, Regional consultant covering the 56 Northwest Y’s for the National YMCA and finally as leader of the 16 Seattle Area YMCA’s. My wife Lony and I enjoyed all the positions. She was helpful in moving my career forward. She worked as a legal assistant where ever we went. The discipline I learned during my wrestling years helped in everything that I did. I retired in the year 2000 and we moved to Sequim, WA, foothills of the Olympic Mts. I wanted to retire at an age (55), so that I was young enough to follow my passion for hiking the mountains and running trails. Each year I do about 50 hikes and run at least one trail marathon. It has kept me at my high school wrestling weight, 145 pounds. I recently spent 10 days hiking in Peru on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I also continue to volunteer with the YMCA, serving as a Board Chair and Campaign Chair for my local Y. I’ve been on the Y Board for 13 years and counting. Right now I look forward to seeing everyone at the wrestling reunion. Read more ... |
Bob Huff
After getting out of the Army I spent the next 25 years in law enforcement as a police officer with Santa Barbara and then the Pasadena Police Department. I had lots of interesting assignments including as a patrol officer during the time when the powerful drug PCP was rampant. I am glad they didn’t have cell phone cameras back then. I was a motorcycle officer for two years, and then a homicide detective which was probably the most interesting and demanding of all. I rose through the ranks as a patrol sergeant, watch commander and finally became the chief of the 350 member Pasadena Police Department. While with the PPD I also spent three years planning for the security of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl games. After I retired we moved to Grants Pass, OR the next day where we have been ever since. I can’t stress how much my wrestling and weightlifting background helped me in my military and police careers. |
John Hutchison
John is married to Sherry and their blended family consists of 7 children, 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Read more ... |
Frank Kolendich
During the above period of time I served on the board of the Boys and Girls club, chairman of the Billings United Way, chairman of the Billings school board, and just resigned from the National advisory board for Grizzly athletics. Toni and I have three great children, Casey, Kevin, and Kelsey. The two boys are board certified in internal and gastrointestinal medicine. Kelsey has a degree in elementary education and is a stay-at-home mom with a business that she runs from her house. Toni and I have been married for 45 years and, have 6 grand children and life is good. For those of you scratching your head - yes I married way over my head........... Looking forward to reuniting after all these years. Read more ... |
Mike Nesbitt (Team Trainer) |
Harry Oliphant
I have 2 daughters who are both successful RN's in the Dallas area. |
Fred Rodríguez
When I returned from ‘Nam, I separated from active duty and attended Colorado State University where I earned my Master’s degree. I then served 25 years as a university professor and wrestling coach in California. At Long Beach State University I had some pretty good teams and was even considered for “Rookie Coach of the Year,” but wouldn’t you know, Dan Gable was also nominated that year. It’s pretty easy to guess who won!. In 1980, I completed my Ph.D. in Education from the University of Utah. Shortly after that I returned to active duty through the California Army National Guard, directed the ROTC program at USC and then was stationed in Panama to work with United States Army South. That was really fun, because I traveled extensively throughout Central and South America. I left active duty once again to assume the position of Dean/CEO of the Panama Canal College. Following those international challenges I came back to the States and resumed teaching in the California State University System. As I was retiring from the CSU System, I was selected to direct the educational programs at Fort Riley, Kansas. We had six university branches offering Associate to Master’s degrees to soldiers and their family members on post. I’m now fully retired but I continue to host yearly leadership conferences, aimed primarily at doctoral students, through our Non-Profit organization Collaborative Educational Programs for the Americas. |
Ray Schnabel
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Rick Yeates
After that tour I got out of the active Navy and entered the Reserve Navy continuing to fly the F-4 until the reserves transitioned to the F-14. After active duty, I began work for Delta Air Lines and retired from both Delta and the Navy. Veterans International... After retirement I went back to school and got a masters from Western Seminary. I am currently the president of an organization training people to become missionary pilots and do chaplaincy work helping vets and working with my church. I am married with two children; a son and a daughter. My son followed in my footsteps currently flying the F-15 for the Portland Air Guard and Delta Air Lines. I look forward to seeing everyone and sharing the bond we developed from the shared experience. Those of us that started in 1964 went through a lot of ups and downs, agony, disappointment, often feeling uncared-for and disrespected during a chain of 8 coaches. I think we used the adversity to forge strong bonds and to make each of us stronger. That perseverance started a tradition in which ISU won 7 consecutive conference championships until the wrestling program was terminated. Read more ... |
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"Guys that had the heart of a Bengal Tiger and wore the Black and Orange with the utmost pride" ... Mike Nesbett |
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Coaches |
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Dean Thomas
(Coach Thomas' family, includes Vivian (Mike) Dunlap, Pocatello, Idaho; Dan (Katherine) Thomas, Brunswick, Georgia; Debera (Lane) Fullmer, Nampa, Idaho; and Troy Dean (Mary Ann) Thomas, Sacramento, California. Family information pending ...) |
Tom Jewell
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Sponsorships
Las Cruces, New Mexico