Dale O. Thomas
Encyclopedia
Dale O. Thomas was the head coach of the Oregon State
wrestling team at Oregon State University
from 1957–1990, and is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame member.
He died of kidney and liver failure due to complications from primary sclerosing cholangitis
at the age of 81.
team, coached by Paul Scott, that won both the NCAA and NAAU championships
champions, 116 conference champions, and 60 All Americans. His coaching dual meet record is 616-168-13, the 616 wins being an NCAA record for most dual meet wins in a coaching career. He led the beavers to finish in the NCAA top 10 on 14 occasions. He was also named NCAA Coach of the Year twice (1961 and 1970), and Pac-10 Coach of the Year four times.
Oregon State Beavers wrestling
The Oregon State Beavers wrestling program was established in 1909, competing in collegiate wrestling across 92 seasons since then. Traditionally a national powerhouse, the Beavers won the Amateur Athletic Union national championship in 1926 and have won their conference championship 47 times...
wrestling team at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
from 1957–1990, and is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame member.
He died of kidney and liver failure due to complications from primary sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic liver disease caused by progressive inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts of the liver. The inflammation impedes the flow of bile to the gut, which can ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer...
at the age of 81.
College
Dale won nine national titles in collegiate freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling during his college career, including the 1943 and 1947 NAAU Championship at 175 lbs. He wrestled for the historic 1947 Cornell CollegeCornell College
Cornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Originally called the Iowa Conference Seminary, the school was founded in 1853 by Reverend Samuel M. Fellows...
team, coached by Paul Scott, that won both the NCAA and NAAU championships
Coaching
Dale was head coach for the Beavers from 1957–1990, earning 22 conference titles and having coached 10 individual NCAANational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
champions, 116 conference champions, and 60 All Americans. His coaching dual meet record is 616-168-13, the 616 wins being an NCAA record for most dual meet wins in a coaching career. He led the beavers to finish in the NCAA top 10 on 14 occasions. He was also named NCAA Coach of the Year twice (1961 and 1970), and Pac-10 Coach of the Year four times.
Other accomplishments
- Brought the NCAA championships to the West Coast for the first time in 1961, with Oregon State serving as the host school
- Served as a wrestling referee in the 19601960 Summer OlympicsThe 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
and 1964 Summer Olympics1964 Summer OlympicsThe 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
. - Elected to the Cornell CollegeCornell CollegeCornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Originally called the Iowa Conference Seminary, the school was founded in 1853 by Reverend Samuel M. Fellows...
of Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1970 - Elected to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980
- Elected to the State of Iowa Hall of Fame in 1982
- Elected to the Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1992
- Elected to the Oregon Sports Hall of FameOregon Sports Hall of FameThe Oregon Sports Hall of Fame honors Oregon athletes, teams, coaches, and others who have made a significant contribution to sports in Oregon. The first class was inducted in 1980, with new inductees added in the fall...
- Elected to the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame
- Elected to the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame