Finn B. Eriksen

1989 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

September 21, 1904 – August 8, 1992

Finn B. Eriksen was the first individual inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame who was not born in Iowa. Born in Norway, Eriksen immigrated to the United States and built a remarkable career as a wrestler, coach, and official, making lasting contributions to amateur wrestling in Iowa and across the nation.

Eriksen attended the University of Northern Iowa (then Iowa State Teachers College), where he competed at 135 pounds. During his collegiate career, he was a two-time champion at the prestigious Midwest AAU Championships and served as team captain in his senior year.

After earning his B.S. degree, he pursued graduate studies and received an M.A. degree from Columbia University in New York City before returning to Iowa to begin his coaching career at New Hampton High School. There, he led the Chickasaws to their first state wrestling championship.

He later accepted a teaching and coaching position at Waterloo West High School, guiding the Wahawks to their first state championship and to multiple titles thereafter. His coaching career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served three years as a commissioned officer in the Naval Air Corps.

Upon returning to Waterloo, Eriksen became Director of Health and Physical Education for the Waterloo schools, a position that allowed him to stay actively involved in wrestling officiating. He officiated countless dual meets and tournaments, including national tournaments and Olympic Trials. In a crowning achievement, he served as a wrestling official at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland.

Eriksen also had a major impact on the governance of the sport. He served on numerous wrestling rules committees at both the state and national levels and was the supervisor of officials for the Iowa state wrestling tournament for 22 years. He consulted on the production of three films on wrestling rules interpretation and officiating, and authored articles on amateur wrestling published in national magazines.

In 1968, Eriksen helped organize the United States National Wrestling Federation in Chicago. The following year, he became a charter member of the selection committee for the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Foundation in Cresco. In 1970, he was also named a charter member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame.

On February 29, 1976, Eriksen was inducted into the Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation (formerly the Helms Athletic Foundation for Wrestling). His lifelong dedication to wrestling was further recognized in 1983, when he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as a Distinguished Member.

Finn was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989 with Russ Smith.