Gordon Hassman

Gordon Hassman, a native of New Hampton, made his mark as a wrestler rather than as a coach or an official. He had an outstanding high school record under three coaches. His coaches were John Philo, Frank Powell, and Gene Luttrell. His Won-Loss record was: Won 95, Lost 13, Tied 4. He was Northeast Iowa Conference Champion in 1960 and 1961. Our inductee wrestled in three State Tournaments placing no less than 3rd place. He was a second place finisher in 1959 at 103 pounds. He was a State Champion in 1960 at 120 pounds and 3rd in 1961 at 138 pounds. The one thing he did accomplish in 1960 by winning the State Championship was following in his father’s footsteps. Paul Hassman, Gordon’s dad from New Hampton, was the State Champion Wrestler from New Hampton at 155 pounds in 1933.

Gordon enrolled at Iowa State in 1961 to complete his goals in education and to continue his wrestling career under Herold Nichols. And what a college career he had. In his three years of varsity competition, he won 90 matches, lost 5 and tied 1. Our inducted was the Big Eight Conference Champion at 157 pounds in 1964 and 1965, and was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the 1964 Big Eight Tournament. His record in the three NCAA tournaments he competed in were even more impressive: 3rd place at 167 pounds in 1963, NCAA champion at 157 pounds in 1964, and 3rd place finisher at 157 pounds in 1965.

Our inductee competed in the Olympic tryouts in 1964 and made the team as an alternate (2nd in tryouts).

High School

• Northeast Iowa Conference Champion 1960 and 1961
• State Tournament: 2nd at 103 pounds in 1959
• State Champion at 120 pounds in 1960
• State Tournament: 3rd at 138 pounds in 1961

College

• Big Eight Conference Champion in 1964 and 1965
• Named Outstanding Wrestler in 1965 Big Eight Tournament
• NCAA Tournament: 3rd Place at 167 pounds in 1963
• NCAA Tournament: Champion at 157 pounds in 1964
• NCAA Tournament: 3rd Place at 157 pounds in 1965
• A member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1964 (2nd in tryouts)