Bob Steenlage

2005 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Iowa’s first four-time state champion, Bob Steenlage’s career could easily serve as a roadmap for any wrestler with big ambitions and the determination to make things happen.

“I did lots of farm work and running to prepare me, but my biggest asset was my determination and learning how to think positively at all times on and off the mat,” Bob said in the book about him, Fighting Back. “I had to admit to myself from the very beginning that I was not a gifted wrestler. I honestly was only slightly better than average, with a big heart. But I also recognized that lack of ability did not have to be a hindrance and shouldn’t be dwelled on. I became a great student of how people think who have become highly successful regardless of their obstacles.”

Described by many as “The Pencil,” Steenlage’s titles came in close, hard-fought decisions. He won his title as a freshman 2-0 and his sophomore title 4-0. His senior year, with the entire state watching, Steenlage won a referee’s decision by riding time to become the state’s first four-time champion—a feat not repeated for another 17 years.

In the match before his bid for a fourth title, Steenlage separated his shoulder, although the seriousness of the injury wasn’t known until after the tournament. Also in his senior year, he spent four weeks on the sidelines with a back injury most believed was career-ending. He only began to work out again ten days before the tournament. This was a major obstacle to overcome, as conditioning was one of his greatest strengths, forcing Bob to elevate his mental preparation. His career record at Britt was 74-7-5.

Steenlage went on to the West Point Military Academy, where he went four years without losing a dual meet. While at the academy, he was a two-time NCAA qualifier at 130 pounds and placed third at 123 pounds in 1966. Two memorable matches during that time included a 7-2 win over Mike Caruso, a three-time NCAA champion whose only career loss in high school or college was to Steenlage. He also defeated Mike Johnson of Pitt in the finals of the EIWA in 1965. Johnson was the first wrestler in the U.S. to win four state wrestling titles; Steenlage became the second, one year later.

Bob was also a member of the 1966 NCAA Division I All-American wrestling team, captain of the West Point wrestling team, a graduate of the Army’s elite Airborne and Ranger Schools, a platoon leader and company commander in Vietnam in 1968, and was awarded the Bronze Star. In the Vietnam War, one in every twenty of Bob’s West Point classmates was killed, and one in every six was wounded or maimed. A well-known book was written about Bob’s West Point class: The Long Gray Line: The American Journey of West Point’s Class of 1966 by Rick Atkinson.

He cited having a big heart, being a fanatical trainer, staying highly disciplined, and learning how to control his thoughts as keys to his success. He was also very strict about weight cutting and noted that working for his father’s acceptance was highly motivational.

Bob simply states: “The most important human quality a person should manifest at all times is an ‘attitude of gratitude,’ and the greatest freedom we have is the freedom to choose our attitude, regardless of the circumstances. Never, never, never give up!”

Bob enjoys speaking with wrestlers—or anyone in need of encouragement—by phone or in person. You can reach him at 608-323-2065 / 8199 / 0243 or visit his website www.bobsteenlage.com for more information about his presentations, development programs, and his book Fighting Back, written by Mike Chapman (who was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010).

Bob also hosts a personal development program for coaches, wrestlers, or anyone interested, every Thursday night at 9 PM ET / 8 CT / 7 MT / 6 PT. Join via conference line: 712-432-2900, pin 635-261#. You can email Bob at bob.steenlage@freelifeleader.com.

In the photo below, Coach Dale Brand of Clarion is refereeing Bob’s win over Obie Saddler of East Waterloo. Britt defeated East Waterloo 23-13 that cold night in January 1961. Bob recalls one of the East Waterloo wrestlers saying after the loss, “I can’t understand this… our bus is longer than Britt’s main street!”

Bob was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005 along with Dick Black, Royce Alger, and Mike McCready.