Award-winning wrestling journalist Dan McCool, 60, has passed away in Iowa
Share:
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Image of Dan McCool (right) with wrestling legend Dan Gable courtesy of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.
Media reports in Iowa reported today that award-winning wrestling journalist Dan McCool, 60, has passed away in Iowa.
McCool first made his reputation as one of the best wrestling writers in the nation during his years as the primary wrestling reporter at the Des Moines Register. In addition to his outstanding coverage of Iowa wrestling on the high school and college levels, McCool often travelled across the nation to report from major USA Wrestling events, providing outstanding coverage of the international level, as well.
“Our sport has lost one of our country’s great wrestling journalists,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “A true friend to the sport and to countless wrestlers and fans, Dan leaves a lasting impression on wrestling. His tireless efforts to cover and promote wrestling will not be soon forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan’s family and friends at this time.”
“Dan McCool was gritty and old school, but he seemed to find new ways to tell the stories about wrestling around the nation, but specifically within the state of Iowa. Covering the sport was not just a beat or job for him. He cared about the sport, but I think he cared more about the kids he covered. When it came to chronicling Iowa wrestling, he was in a league of his own,” said Jason Bryant, president of the National Wrestling Media Association.
McCool wrote a respected book entitled A History of Wrestling in Iowa: Growing Gold, published by The History Press, and also wrote Reach for the Stars, the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament, published by Author House. Both books remain available on Amazon and other sources.
McCool was liked and well-respected by the athletes and coaches that he covered throughout his lifetime, not only in his native Iowa but across the nation. A tall man with a big presence, you knew you were at an important competition when Dan McCool was there to cover it.
McCool received numerous national wrestling awards, including Journalist of the Year from the National Wrestling Media Association (1994), the Amateur Wrestling News Bob Dellinger Award (1995) and many others. He was inducted with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award by the Iowa Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Iowa Chapter of the Hall of Fame annually presents the Dan McCool Media Award to a deserving journalist in the state for excellence in wrestling coverage.
McCool’s passing was announced by wrestling journalist Tony Hager, the founder of IAWrestle.com, who indicated via Twitter that McCool passed away from heart complications. This evening, his former employer, the Des Moines Register, also posted a story on his death, but did not have details on the cause of his death.
Many wrestling people are posting memories about Dan via Twitter by responding to Tony Hager at twitter.com/hagertony. Others are posting their thoughts on Dan McCool’s Facebook page.
“What I liked most about Dan was his ability to talk wrestling with anyone. A four-time state champion, an Olympic medalist, a wrestling cheerleader or a family member of someone who wrestled ages ago – he just loved talking and writing about wrestling. His books allowed him to sit in the gyms and arenas and be among the people. I’ve never met anyone like him, and probably never will again,” said Bryant.
Information on funeral arrangements and memorials will be posted when received.
DES MOINES REGISTER: Former Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool dies
Media reports in Iowa reported today that award-winning wrestling journalist Dan McCool, 60, has passed away in Iowa.
McCool first made his reputation as one of the best wrestling writers in the nation during his years as the primary wrestling reporter at the Des Moines Register. In addition to his outstanding coverage of Iowa wrestling on the high school and college levels, McCool often travelled across the nation to report from major USA Wrestling events, providing outstanding coverage of the international level, as well.
“Our sport has lost one of our country’s great wrestling journalists,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “A true friend to the sport and to countless wrestlers and fans, Dan leaves a lasting impression on wrestling. His tireless efforts to cover and promote wrestling will not be soon forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan’s family and friends at this time.”
“Dan McCool was gritty and old school, but he seemed to find new ways to tell the stories about wrestling around the nation, but specifically within the state of Iowa. Covering the sport was not just a beat or job for him. He cared about the sport, but I think he cared more about the kids he covered. When it came to chronicling Iowa wrestling, he was in a league of his own,” said Jason Bryant, president of the National Wrestling Media Association.
McCool wrote a respected book entitled A History of Wrestling in Iowa: Growing Gold, published by The History Press, and also wrote Reach for the Stars, the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament, published by Author House. Both books remain available on Amazon and other sources.
McCool was liked and well-respected by the athletes and coaches that he covered throughout his lifetime, not only in his native Iowa but across the nation. A tall man with a big presence, you knew you were at an important competition when Dan McCool was there to cover it.
McCool received numerous national wrestling awards, including Journalist of the Year from the National Wrestling Media Association (1994), the Amateur Wrestling News Bob Dellinger Award (1995) and many others. He was inducted with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award by the Iowa Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Iowa Chapter of the Hall of Fame annually presents the Dan McCool Media Award to a deserving journalist in the state for excellence in wrestling coverage.
McCool’s passing was announced by wrestling journalist Tony Hager, the founder of IAWrestle.com, who indicated via Twitter that McCool passed away from heart complications. This evening, his former employer, the Des Moines Register, also posted a story on his death, but did not have details on the cause of his death.
Many wrestling people are posting memories about Dan via Twitter by responding to Tony Hager at twitter.com/hagertony. Others are posting their thoughts on Dan McCool’s Facebook page.
“What I liked most about Dan was his ability to talk wrestling with anyone. A four-time state champion, an Olympic medalist, a wrestling cheerleader or a family member of someone who wrestled ages ago – he just loved talking and writing about wrestling. His books allowed him to sit in the gyms and arenas and be among the people. I’ve never met anyone like him, and probably never will again,” said Bryant.
Information on funeral arrangements and memorials will be posted when received.
DES MOINES REGISTER: Former Register wrestling reporter Dan McCool dies
Read More#
FINAL DAY: Elections to be held for USA Wrestling Standing Committees Positions; Nomination...
World medalist Attao leads group of four title repeaters at 2023 U20 Greco-Roman Nationals
USA to send talented young team to compete at Klippan Lady Open, Feb. 17-19
USA Wrestling Job Opportunity: Coordinator, National Teams & Regional Training Centers
