Don Nichols

1990 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

August 8, 1918 – March 21, 2007

Don Nichols, born and raised in Cresco, Iowa, developed a passion for wrestling early in life, alongside his younger brother, Harold Nichols, who would later become one of the most influential wrestling coaches in American history. The Nichols brothers were coached by legendary Iowa high school figures Dave Bartelma and Harry Schroeder, and they helped anchor some of the state’s most dominant prep wrestling teams of the 1930s.

Don was known for his remarkable versatility, competing in weight classes ranging from 85 to 155 pounds, a rare feat at any level of wrestling. He captured his first Iowa district and state titles at 85 pounds in 1933, then claimed another state crown at 135 pounds in 1935, consistently leading his Cresco teams to championship success.

In 1937, Don enrolled at the University of Michigan, joining the powerhouse wrestling program coached by the legendary Cliff Keen. Moving up to compete at 175 pounds, Nichols quickly made a mark in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference. He won the Big Ten championship twice (1938 and 1940) and was runner-up in 1939. His collegiate career reached its pinnacle in 1940, when he not only secured the NCAA championship at 175 pounds but was also named the Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Tournament, an honor awarded to the most dominant competitor across all weight classes.

Nichols’ overall wrestling record is remarkable for both its durability and consistency. Across his combined high school and collegiate career—spanning roughly seven years—he is documented to have lost only three dual meet matches, including just one single loss in high school competition, a testament to his extraordinary skill, discipline, and competitive toughness.

After completing his collegiate wrestling career, Nichols served his country with distinction during World War II, piloting transport missions with the U.S. Army Air Forces Air Transport Command. Following the war, he continued to embody the professionalism and focus he had shown on the wrestling mat, building a successful career as a commercial airline pilot.

In 1990, Don Nichols was formally inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, recognized among the sport’s greats from a state with one of the richest wrestling traditions in America. His legacy is deeply intertwined with that of his brother Harold, together representing one of the most impactful wrestling families in U.S. history—Don as a pioneering competitor whose excellence helped set new standards, and Harold as a coach who would later shape generations of champions.

Don was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1990 with Chuck Yagla.