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Clarion's Bob Bubb elected for induction into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Robert G. "Bob" Bubb, former Clarion University head wrestling coach (1967-92) and professor (1967-95), has been elected as a Distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, it was announced by the Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The induction ceremony will be June 4, 2005.

Bubb, an NCAA Division I coaching legend and national wrestling leader, directed the Golden Eagles for 26-years and put together a remarkable resume. He posted a dual meet record of 322-121-4 (72.5%) while his teams won 11 PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) and 1 EWL title. In 1990 he earned his 300th coaching win, and at the time, was only the fourth coach to reach 300 wins. Clarion placed fourth at the NCAA Division I Nationals in 1973, sixth in 1972 and eighth in 1992, his final season. His teams finished in the top 20 at nationals 12 times and in the top 29 at nationals 19 years.

"It is with an immense amount of pride that I accept the honor of being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame," said Bubb.

"I am both excited and humbled to be singled out for such an honor. An honor of this magnitude though is shared with those who helped make Clarion University wrestling so successful. I would especially like to thank Frank Lignelli (former Clarion A.D.) who brought me to Clarion and gave me the opportunity to be a head coach. I would also like to thank all of the wrestlers, coaches, faculty, administration, pin club, sports information and the Clarion community for their unlimited support. I truly believe everyone shares in this honor," reflected Bubb. "We just couldn’t have accomplished what we did without everyone’s support."

Bubb has also been a national leader in wrestling serving as the Executive Director of the NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) from 1995-1999, after many years as a leader within the organization. His leadership helped transform the NWCA into a more professional organization, which led to substantial growth in the years to come.

His technical knowledge and commitment to detail is displayed as the Secretary Rules Editor to NCAA Wrestling, which he has served since 1990. His leadership on the Wrestling Rules Committee has helped make college wrestling a stronger and more exciting sport. He also served many years on the Board of Directors of USA Wrestling, the national governing body.

Two of the top individual athletes to compete for Bubb at Clarion are fellow members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame: Kurt Angle and Wade Schalles. Angle won two NCAA titles under Bubb (1990 and 1992) and went on to be a 1995 World Champion and 1996 Olympic champion. Schalles was NCAA Champion in both 1972 and 1973, and was NCAA Outstanding Wrestler in 1972.

Other individual Div. I national champions under Bubb were Gary Barton (1972), Don Rohn (1973) and Bill Simpson (1973). Bubb coached 27 NCAA Div. I All-Americans, 29 EWL champions and 69 PSAC champions. Bubb was recognized for helping his athletes reach their full potential as wrestlers, and to compete on a national level against much larger university programs.

Bubb was NCAA Div. I Coach of the Year in 1986, and the NCAA College Division Coach of the Year in 1972. The 1986 team posted a 17-0-1 regular season record and finished the year ranked third in the nation behind Iowa and Iowa State. Bubb has been named to numerous Halls of Fame, including Clarion University Sports Hall (1998), Tyrone High School Wrestling Hall (2003), Western Pennsylvania and Clinton County Halls (1988), PSAC Hall (1995) and the EWL Hall (1997). In 1987 he received the Award of Distinction from Pitt’s Varsity Letter Club.

In addition to serving as wrestling coach, Bubb was a professor at Clarion from 1967 through 1995, retiring as a Full Professor. He took great pride in his athletes’ education, with an impressive high graduation rate. Prior to taking the Clarion job, Bubb was the wrestling coach at Tyrone Area High School from 1959-1966, where he coached a Pennsylvania state champion and five district champions.

Bubb competed at the Univ. of Pittsburgh, where he placed fourth at the 1959 NCAA Championships and was named Most Valuable Wrestler for Pitt. He was a 1954 Pennsylvania state high school runner-up competing for Lock Haven High School.

Among the attributes that made Bubb so respected within wrestling were his ethical standards, personal integrity and moral character. The respect for Bubb comes not only from the athletes he has coached, but also from his peer wrestling coaches and leaders, as well as those who worked with him at the university level.

Bob and wife Marsha reside in Clarion. They have two daughters Jill and Susan and two grand children.

Note: Earlier this week, Chris Campbell, Zeke Jones and J Robinson were announced as Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, as well.