There are few Oregonians who had as productive an athletic career as a participant, coach and administrator than Dale Thomas (February 26, 1923 – March 4, 2004) , who guided the Oregon State University wrestling program for 34 seasons.
Born in Marion, Iowa in 1923, Thomas wrestled collegiately at Cornell College of Mount Vernon, Iowa, from 1943-47. He won nine national titles in three different styles and was on the 1947 team that won the NCAA title. Following his graduation, he earned a master’s degree from Purdue University.
Thomas continued competing as a wrestler and earned a spot on both the 1952 and 1956 U.S. Olympic teams in the Greco-Roman discipline. He finished fifth at 192 pounds in 1956. He also competed on the U.S. team at the 1954 World Championships.
Thomas took over the head coaching position at OSU in 1957 and immediately worked toward making the Beavers a national power. Not only did his teams compile a record of 616-168-13 in dual meets, but Thomas also successfully lobbied the NCAA into moving the 1961 National Championship meet to Oregon State – the first time it had been held in the West. OSU also played host to the meet in 1980.
During the Thomas era, the Beavers won the Pacific Coast Conference, Pac-8 or Pac-10 title 22 times, and placed in the NCAA Tournament Top 10 14 times. They were in the Top 5 seven times and finished second in 1973.
Oregon State had 60 All-Americans under Thomas, who was voted NCAA Coach of the Year in 1961 and ’70. He served as an official in the 1960 and ’64 Summer Olympics. Known for his favorite phrase, “You gotta like it rough” Thomas left an indelible mark on youth wrestling in the state as well, helping create a kid wrestling program, and a freestyle state tournament for youth competitors. The Dale Thomas Wrestling Camp in Eddyville hosted hundreds of young campers. He directed the state Cultural Exchange program between teams from Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Europe.
Dale Thomas is a member of the Cornell College and State of Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.