The new wrestling facility is at the YMCA in Naples, Florida.
Gable, 67, and his wife Kathy visit the Naples area frequently, often with children and grandchildren, the Naples News reported Friday. The official Greater Naples YMCA website added, "Upon learning of our desire to establish a YMCA youth wrestling program he volunteered his services."
"This facility is named in honor of a YMCA kid from Waterloo, Iowa who became an American sports legend," is how the Naples YMCA website described the inspiration in naming its new Dan Gable Development and Training Center. "Dan Gable experienced the YMCA as a safe place away from home. From boxing to ping-pong, he was introduced to a variety of sports at the YMCA."
"After landing his first job at the YMCA as a locker room attendant, earning 35 cents an hour at age nine, (Gable) earned the value of responsibility. Gable's first state championship was earned in swimming for the YMCA, before concentrating solely on a wrestling career that brought him to fame."
" ... (Gable) credits the YMCA's core-valued programs as the platform that shaped his social skills, work ethic and competitive drive."
Gable helped raise money for the new wrestling facility named in his honor. Thursday marked his second appearance at the Greater Naples YMCA.
The wrestling room at the new Dan Gable Development and Training Center is designed with permanently padded walls and a 5-inch recessed subfloor filled with three inches of foam and a 2-inch-thick wrestling mat. It will be the home for a youth wrestling program, technique clinics and an advanced program for high school athletes to hone their skills. The YMCA SWFL Elite high school wrestling club practices at the Y each week and has participated in the Disney Duals.
The Greater Naples YMCA would like to grow the sport of wrestling and take the next step toward its growth. According to the Naples Y website, Phase II of their plan is to fundraise for competition-grade wrestling mats and a mat hoist for the Y's gymnasium. Gable has agreed to help the Y achieve this goal. Once this goal is complete, wrestling competitions -- including showcase dual meets and youth tournaments -- would easily be accommodated at the Greater Naples YMCA.
Dan Mack Gable was undefeated in varsity competition at Waterloo West High School, winning three consecutive Iowa state championships. He went on to earn 117 more victories at Iowa State University, where he was a two-time NCAA champ and three-time All-American. After college, Gable won a gold medal in freestyle at the 1972 Munich Olympics without surrendering a single point.
Upon returning from the Olympics, Gable launched his coaching career as an assistant at the University of Iowa. He took the helm of the Hawkeye mat program in 1976, where his teams won 21 straight Big 10 team championships and claimed NCAA team titles 15 times. Gable coached 152 All-Americans, 45 NCAA champs, 106 Big Ten champions and 12 Olympians, including four gold, one silver and three bronze medalists. He continues to work toward growing and promoting the sport worldwide.
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