2009 Order of Merit Arno Niemand
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by Roger Moore
Transforming a Sport
The Order of Merit is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of wrestling, other than success as an athlete or coach. The annual honor is voted on by Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
"Significant" doesn't begin to describe the contribution to wrestling that Arno P. Niemand has made over the last half century. Niemand will be honored with the Order of Merit Award during Honors Weekend in Stillwater, Okla., June 5-6.
"I look at some of the names of the guys who have earned this honor before me and it's very gratifying to be a part of that group," said Niemand, a 1956 Cornell University graduate. "Following Richard Small … it's just a real honor."
Niemand's generosity has helped shape two programs in particular - his alma mater and the United States women's freestyle team.
Looking back he considered himself a "journeyman 137-pounder" while wrestling at Cornell from 1952-54. Niemand was a starter on the 1953 CU squad that finished second at the EIWA Championships and third at the NCAAs.
Although he didn't leave his mark on the mat, you can't go far in Cornell wrestling circles without knowing the name Arno Niemand.
"As a Cornell graduate like Arno, I have been amazed at his dedication, loyalty and generosity to his alma mater," said Jamie Moffatt, Chairmen of the College Sports Council. "He has set a shining example for all Cornell wrestling alumni. If not for Arno, the many accomplishments of the Cornell wrestling program simply would not have been possible."
Rob Koll, wrestling coach at Cornell for the last 15 seasons, saw the program go from three Top 30 finishes at the NCAA Championships from 1994-02 to six straight Top 15 showings over the last six seasons.
"Arno helped us build the countries finest wrestling center," said Koll, whose Big Red is ranked third entering the 2009 National Duals. "He appreciates the current climate of collegiate athletics and has helped Cornell thrive in conditions where many other universities have dropped wrestling programs or are cutting back in the sport."
The Ithaca, N.Y., campus includes the Niemand Fitness Center inside Teagle Hall; a women's softball complex known as Niemand-Robison Field; and the Friedman Wrestling Center which includes the Arno P. Niemand Wrestling Arena.
Friedman, a 1959 Cornell graduate whose career includes CEO of Goldman Sachs investment bank, joined Niemand's vision of facilities at his alma mater.
"For wrestling to continue thriving it needs individuals who, in addition to being fans, provide major financial, advisory and morale support," said Friedman. "Wrestling, and other sports that lack huge gates and television contracts, also need such devoted individuals to help in maintaining support from University administrators.
"Arno is the absolute model of such an enlightened - and effective - supporter."
Cornell Athletics Director Andy Noel says, "Individuals of Arno's generosity do not come along very often."
That financial support has come from his successful companies, Niemand Industries, which he ran from 1960-90; and Body Bar Systems, which has been in business since 1990.
Body Bar, innovative fitness products and education, is the pioneer sponsor of the first U.S. women's freestyle team. In 2004 women's wrestling competed in the Olympics for the first time.
"Arno Niemand and Body Bar have been major factors in the success of our U.S. women's national team," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "Their support has not only provided needed resources for our women to succeed on the international level, but Arno and his company have taken a personal interest in our athletes and program. The United States has become a world power in women's wrestling, and Arno has been a key partner in that journey."
"It just made sense, supporting a women's program. It's a natural fit with Body Bar and the fitness message we are trying to promote," Niemand said. "It's about giving opportunities, not taking them away. We didn't have the kind of performance we would have liked (in Beijing) but (Clarissa Chun) came right back and won a World Championship.
"The program is moving along nicely."
Niemand has also supported the National Wrestling Coaches Association's educational program Building Leaders for Life and the College Sports Council's advocacy against the consequences of Title IX interpretations on the sport of wrestling.
He is a lifetime member of the New York Athletic Club and has also provided much support for EXCEL Youth Wrestling in Colorado and Iowa.
He received the FILA Gold Star in 2008.
A 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1958-60, Niemand has been a competitive runner since 1948. He completed the 1976 New York City Marathon in 2:51:46 and the 1977 Boston Marathon in 2:50:58.
One man, Daniel Landry, made the mistake of trying to take advantage of Niemand's charity in August of 1995.
Inside the Summer Street garage, Landry asked the 1956 Cornell grad for $2. When Niemand pulled out a wadded-up bit of cash, Landry grabbed it and tried to flee.
A takedown and half-nelson later, Landry was on his back and Niemand was calling for help.
"That was a story that kind of took on a life of its own," admits Niemand, who approaching 75-years old still runs for 40 minutes four times a week. "Hunter Rawlings (then-President at Cornell) spent seven years at the University of Iowa so he had some fun with it."
Niemand, who lives in Boulder, Colo., is currently writing and publishing the book Miracle on the Mat detailing Cornell College's road to the 1947 NCAA championship.
From captain at Phillips Academy in 1952 to a leader in his support of wrestling, Arno Niemand is easily worthy of an award that first went to Dr. Melvin Jones in 1992.
The Order of Merit is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of wrestling, other than success as an athlete or coach. The annual honor is voted on by Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
"Significant" doesn't begin to describe the contribution to wrestling that Arno P. Niemand has made over the last half century. Niemand will be honored with the Order of Merit Award during Honors Weekend in Stillwater, Okla., June 5-6.
"I look at some of the names of the guys who have earned this honor before me and it's very gratifying to be a part of that group," said Niemand, a 1956 Cornell University graduate. "Following Richard Small … it's just a real honor."
Niemand's generosity has helped shape two programs in particular - his alma mater and the United States women's freestyle team.
Looking back he considered himself a "journeyman 137-pounder" while wrestling at Cornell from 1952-54. Niemand was a starter on the 1953 CU squad that finished second at the EIWA Championships and third at the NCAAs.
Although he didn't leave his mark on the mat, you can't go far in Cornell wrestling circles without knowing the name Arno Niemand.
"As a Cornell graduate like Arno, I have been amazed at his dedication, loyalty and generosity to his alma mater," said Jamie Moffatt, Chairmen of the College Sports Council. "He has set a shining example for all Cornell wrestling alumni. If not for Arno, the many accomplishments of the Cornell wrestling program simply would not have been possible."
Rob Koll, wrestling coach at Cornell for the last 15 seasons, saw the program go from three Top 30 finishes at the NCAA Championships from 1994-02 to six straight Top 15 showings over the last six seasons.
"Arno helped us build the countries finest wrestling center," said Koll, whose Big Red is ranked third entering the 2009 National Duals. "He appreciates the current climate of collegiate athletics and has helped Cornell thrive in conditions where many other universities have dropped wrestling programs or are cutting back in the sport."
The Ithaca, N.Y., campus includes the Niemand Fitness Center inside Teagle Hall; a women's softball complex known as Niemand-Robison Field; and the Friedman Wrestling Center which includes the Arno P. Niemand Wrestling Arena.
Friedman, a 1959 Cornell graduate whose career includes CEO of Goldman Sachs investment bank, joined Niemand's vision of facilities at his alma mater.
"For wrestling to continue thriving it needs individuals who, in addition to being fans, provide major financial, advisory and morale support," said Friedman. "Wrestling, and other sports that lack huge gates and television contracts, also need such devoted individuals to help in maintaining support from University administrators.
"Arno is the absolute model of such an enlightened - and effective - supporter."
Cornell Athletics Director Andy Noel says, "Individuals of Arno's generosity do not come along very often."
That financial support has come from his successful companies, Niemand Industries, which he ran from 1960-90; and Body Bar Systems, which has been in business since 1990.
Body Bar, innovative fitness products and education, is the pioneer sponsor of the first U.S. women's freestyle team. In 2004 women's wrestling competed in the Olympics for the first time.
"Arno Niemand and Body Bar have been major factors in the success of our U.S. women's national team," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "Their support has not only provided needed resources for our women to succeed on the international level, but Arno and his company have taken a personal interest in our athletes and program. The United States has become a world power in women's wrestling, and Arno has been a key partner in that journey."
"It just made sense, supporting a women's program. It's a natural fit with Body Bar and the fitness message we are trying to promote," Niemand said. "It's about giving opportunities, not taking them away. We didn't have the kind of performance we would have liked (in Beijing) but (Clarissa Chun) came right back and won a World Championship.
"The program is moving along nicely."
Niemand has also supported the National Wrestling Coaches Association's educational program Building Leaders for Life and the College Sports Council's advocacy against the consequences of Title IX interpretations on the sport of wrestling.
He is a lifetime member of the New York Athletic Club and has also provided much support for EXCEL Youth Wrestling in Colorado and Iowa.
He received the FILA Gold Star in 2008.
A 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1958-60, Niemand has been a competitive runner since 1948. He completed the 1976 New York City Marathon in 2:51:46 and the 1977 Boston Marathon in 2:50:58.
One man, Daniel Landry, made the mistake of trying to take advantage of Niemand's charity in August of 1995.
Inside the Summer Street garage, Landry asked the 1956 Cornell grad for $2. When Niemand pulled out a wadded-up bit of cash, Landry grabbed it and tried to flee.
A takedown and half-nelson later, Landry was on his back and Niemand was calling for help.
"That was a story that kind of took on a life of its own," admits Niemand, who approaching 75-years old still runs for 40 minutes four times a week. "Hunter Rawlings (then-President at Cornell) spent seven years at the University of Iowa so he had some fun with it."
Niemand, who lives in Boulder, Colo., is currently writing and publishing the book Miracle on the Mat detailing Cornell College's road to the 1947 NCAA championship.
From captain at Phillips Academy in 1952 to a leader in his support of wrestling, Arno Niemand is easily worthy of an award that first went to Dr. Melvin Jones in 1992.
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