Gary Steffensmeier

2019 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Dr. Gary Steffensmeier developed a ‘can-do’ attitude as a third-grade wrestler. That same attitude has served Steffensmeier through the years as an outstanding wrestler, coach, and teacher. “I was never in a kid’s club. My older brothers worked with me at home, and I had success at tournaments starting as a third grader,” Steffensmeier said. “It helped me develop confidence that I could do whatever I set my mind to. I learned I could overcome obstacles if I just kept plugging away.”

Steffensmeier wrestled at Fort Madison for Hall of Fame coach Mick Pickford. He was the Bloodhounds’ first two-time state champion and their first four-time state tournament medalist. Steffensmeier finished fourth and fifth place in state as a freshman and sophomore before winning titles in 1986 at 112 lbs and in 1987 at 119 lbs. He capped his senior year with a perfect 32-0 record, giving him 103 career wins.

Steffensmeier then wrestled for Don Briggs at the University of Northern Iowa, where he was a three-time Division I All-American with a runner-up finish and two fourth-place finishes. He finished with a collegiate record of 115-29-3, which ranks him fourth on the Panthers’ all-time win chart. Impressively, he was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic team in 1991 and 1992.

Thinking back on his wrestling career, Steffensmeier said he never went into matches thinking his opponent was better or that a match was a ‘must win.’ Memorable matches included winning his first state title and wrestling in the NCAA finals. He also casually mentioned rewarding wins against an Olympic silver medalist and a world champion.

Steffensmeier taught high school mathematics and coached wrestling for 12 years in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Germany while following his wife’s military career. His wrestling teams won European team championships and produced numerous conference, state, national, and European champions and place winners. That coaching tenure is a source of pride for Steffensmeier, who noted he enjoyed watching wrestlers develop while also giving back to the sport. He was able to expand wrestling numbers at every place he coached. “In Texas, I started with 14 guys on the team; the next year we had 32, and the following year we had 64. In Missouri, I had two state place finishers my first year. The second year we had five state place finishers, including two state champions. In my third year we had six place finishers and two in the finals.”

Steffensmeier was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 along with Joe Corso, Don Buzzard, and Jessie Whitmer.