Bucknell University Athletics
Dan Gable brings clinic to Lewisburg to help Bucknell wrestling program
10/19/2005 8:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 19, 2005
By Marion Valanoski
For The Daily Item
LEWISBURG -- Over 500 coaches and wrestlers were gathered on the mats Sunday morning in the Langone Athletic Center on the campus of Bucknell University and you could sense something special was happening. There were video cameras winding away and notepads rapidly being filled with information.
But who could command such attention at a time when many of the on-lookers would either be sleeping or attending church services?
Former Olympian Dan Gable was on hand to impart his knowledge and provide the Bison wrestling program with an injection of wrestling passion.
"Coach Gable is the spokesman for wrestling in the United States and there's no bigger name in the sport than his," first-year Bucknell coach Dan Wirnsberger said . "It was significant for our program to get the kind of exposure we need to present to the wrestling community not only on the local level but all over the country."
Gable did not disappoint.
"He's the best and just being able to listen to him talk is enough," 1980 Bucknell graduate and current Milton High School wrestling coach Bob Greenly said. "It's not just what he shows you as a teacher but the respect he gives to everyone and the passion he puts into the sport."
Gable was part of the announcement back in May when Bucknell announced the university was bringing back wrestling to varsity status after being designated a club sport following the 2001-2002 season. Wirnsberger contacted the legendary coach, he was more than ready to answer the call to provide any support for the sport he loves so much.
"When Bucknell dropped the sport it was a definite blow to the wrestling community," Gable said. "Wrestling people didn't get uptight for years and then the sport is dropped here and you realize the tremendous loss it is to all."
Once Gable took the mat you could see he was now in his environment and he provided a keen insight into not only the sport itself but all the "how-to" and "whys" of even the simplest of drills.
He didn't just stand around and watch when the athletes and coaches broke down into their individual groups, but got right into the thick of things, providing hands-on instruction.
"It's great for our sport when a coach of his magnitude can come to a Bucknell and be as intense for a clinic and so informative," former Lewisburg High School and current Lycoming College head coach Roger Crebs said. "He's not coming in and teaching you something brand new but it's his approach to how you do things and the amount of intensity he exhibits is amazing. You see him do the same drills we do but he tweaks them here-and-there and shows you how they can be improved, which in turn helps your wrestlers get better."
Coaches from as far away as Delaware were in Lewisburg Sunday morning. Coaches from Lewisburg, Milton, Shamokin Area, Cumberland Valley, Towanda and Clearfield were some of the Pennsylvania teams to make the trip.
"Just look around and seeing all of these people makes me believe this weekend is going as well as it can" Wirnsberger said. "All the recruits, the clinic itself, and the number of wrestlers can only be a big boost towards our future."
Bucknell was able to bring back wrestling largely due to 1962 graduate Bill Graham's endowment of $5.6 million dollars.
The Bison will be members of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association this season but will not start their dual meet schedule until the 2006-7 campaign. Instead the seven wrestlers on the team right now will participate in several of the invitational tournaments.
