Legendary College of New Jersey coach Dave Icenhower passed away on Saturday
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by USA Wrestling
Ewing, NJ - Dave Icenhower, the Lions' wrestling coach for 35 years at The College of New Jersey, passed away early Saturday morning. Icenhower had been battling cancer
Known to most everyone as 'Ice', he was a beloved figure who touched the lives of so many TCNJ family members. Ice was cherished in the wrestling community and will be deeply missed in so many circles, in so many ways.
Ice was one of the most successful coaches at any collegiate level and is a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He guided the Lions' wrestling program to an unprecedented five NCAA national championships, including the first title in school history in 1979. He retired from TCNJ in 2011.
Icenhower had an incredible 535-80-4 dual meet record with six undefeated seasons, with three 20-win seasons. He coached 129 NCAA All-Americans.
Icenhower was named the Division III Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1987. He coached 20 Division III national champions – one of those, Tom Martucci went on to win a Division I national title.
But Ice was much more than a wrestling coach to those who encountered his vibrance and inspiring persona. He embodied the character traits that he imparted into so many of his pupils in the wrestling room. Ice was devoted, fearless, persistent and intuitive. And he did it all with class, and the end of the day, a smile.
TCNJ coaches, administrators and staff are deeply saddened by his passing. They lost a wonderful friend and their thoughts and prayers are with the Icenhower family. A moment of silence was held in his honor at today's homecoming football and soccer games.
Information regarding services will be forthcoming.
THE TRENTONIAN: Legendary coach Dave “Ice” Icenhower remembered
NJ.COM: TCNJ coach Dave Icenhower loses battle with cancer
Known to most everyone as 'Ice', he was a beloved figure who touched the lives of so many TCNJ family members. Ice was cherished in the wrestling community and will be deeply missed in so many circles, in so many ways.
Ice was one of the most successful coaches at any collegiate level and is a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He guided the Lions' wrestling program to an unprecedented five NCAA national championships, including the first title in school history in 1979. He retired from TCNJ in 2011.
Icenhower had an incredible 535-80-4 dual meet record with six undefeated seasons, with three 20-win seasons. He coached 129 NCAA All-Americans.
Icenhower was named the Division III Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1987. He coached 20 Division III national champions – one of those, Tom Martucci went on to win a Division I national title.
But Ice was much more than a wrestling coach to those who encountered his vibrance and inspiring persona. He embodied the character traits that he imparted into so many of his pupils in the wrestling room. Ice was devoted, fearless, persistent and intuitive. And he did it all with class, and the end of the day, a smile.
TCNJ coaches, administrators and staff are deeply saddened by his passing. They lost a wonderful friend and their thoughts and prayers are with the Icenhower family. A moment of silence was held in his honor at today's homecoming football and soccer games.
Information regarding services will be forthcoming.
THE TRENTONIAN: Legendary coach Dave “Ice” Icenhower remembered
NJ.COM: TCNJ coach Dave Icenhower loses battle with cancer
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