Mr. Dan Gable, legendary athlete and wrestling coach, was the featured speaker on 21 October 2014, for the Stockdale Center’s Volgenau Honor, Courage, Commitment Luncheon. The generosity of Dr. Ernst Volgenau (USNA Class of 1955) and Sara Volgenau makes this seminar series possible. Gable’s success, detailed in his book A Season on the Mat,” has its roots in his life as both a wrestler and a coach. In his high school and college wrestling career, he lost only once in 182 matches. In 1971, at the Pan American Games and World Championships, he competed and won. He blazed on to win gold at the 1972 Summer Olympics. As the coach of the University of Iowa wrestling program, he built a record of 355-21-5 and 15 NCAA National Wrestling Team Titles. Gable shared his five leadership principles: Be the first to arrive. When you can’t be first, delegate and train your followers. Know your subject and your subjects (those you are leading). Inspire others to be leaders. Take on adversity. “When you learn the hard way,” Gable advised, “you never repeat that mistake.” Recovery is important. Reflect, prepare, and take care of yourself.
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