Wrestling program boasts storied history

Long before Donald Rumsfeld '54 had the world's most advanced military weaponry at his fingertips as U.S. Secretary of Defense, he engaged in warfare of a far more elemental style as the captain of Princeton's wrestling team.

Wrestling in the 157-pound weight class, Rumsfeld employed his favorite move — the "fireman's carry" — to great success, twice completing undefeated regular seasons and finishing second in the Eastern Collegiate Wrestling Association his sophomore year.

Though he may now be the most well-known former Tiger grappler, his story is but one chapter in the storied history of Princeton wrestling. From its founding 100 years ago, through its golden era in the 1950s and its resurrection from the brink of death over the past decade, the program has had a turbulent but memorable existence.

The sport itself has changed greatly over the course of a century.

"There is more speed, strength and endurance," said Clay McEldowney '69, a former team captain and chairman of the Friends of Princeton Wrestling during the 1990s. "The quality of wrestling has gotten better as there is more training and competition outside of the regular season."

Two weekends ago, Princeton honored the team's 100th anniversary with a day of festivities coinciding with a home match against Franklin and Marshall. Numerous alumni returned for the mini-reunion, luncheon and gala celebration.

Team historian Mark Kowal '75, who is currently writing a history of the program as part of the commemoration of its 100th anniversary, recently offered glimpses into the people and teams that comprise the team's history.

Future powerbrokers

In 1905, two classmates — Donald Herring, class of 1907, and Alec Scott, class of 1906 — organized the first known intercollegiate wrestling meets, pitting Princeton against Yale and Penn. These meets led to the formation of the Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (IWA), featuring the original three — the Tigers, Bulldogs and Quakers — as well as Columbia.

While the early years of the IWA are not well documented, according to Kowal, these early matches may have developed out of rivalries and competitions from private high schools. Lawrenceville Academy is known to have had an established wrestling program at the time.

The IWA would eventually evolve into the modern-day Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), and wrestling programs spread to colleges across the country.

Despite sometimes lacking a coach in the years following the program's founding, Princeton boasted several standout wrestlers, including Jacob Frantz, class of 1913. The 1934 arrival of head coach Jimmy Read, who would guide the Tigers for the next 30 years, ushered in a period of greater stability.

It was during the 1950s that the team reached its golden age. Three wrestlers in particular not only left their mark on the mats, but would also go on to leave their marks on the nation: Rumsfeld, Frank Carlucci '52 and Brad Glass '53.

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Like Rumsfeld, Carlucci would go on to serve as Secretary of Defense, holding the position under Ronald Reagan. Rumsfeld first served as Secretary of Defense under Gerald Ford from 1975 to 1977 before resuming the position in 2001 under George W. Bush.

Glass, meanwhile, was best known for his accomplishments as an athlete. The only individual NCAA champion in Princeton history, he reached the finals of the 1952 and 1956 Olympic wrestling trials. Just as importantly, he played a key role in convincing Rumsfeld — with whom he attended high school — to come to Princeton.

In a recent interview for the 100th anniversary video that team alumni produced, Rumsfeld admitted he probably would not have come to Princeton if there had not been a wrestling program.

Once on campus, Rumsfeld left his mark as a fearless competitor. He once famously separated a shoulder in the middle of a match, yet fought through the pain for a victory.

Near-death experience

Under the leadership of head coach John "Johnny" Johnston (1964-93) and assistant coach Chet Dalgewicz (1968-91), the wrestling program continued to grow in strength. In 1972, Emil Deliere '72 was a finalist in the NCAA tournament and lost to future Olympic gold medalist Ben Peterson. John Sefter '78 also made it to the NCAA finals, and John Orr '85 became the first and only Princeton wrestler to make it to the NCAA finals twice.

The 1977-78 season was especially noteworthy as the Tigers managed to maintain an undefeated record in their 19 matches. Princeton took 14th place at the NCAA championships that year, the highest finish by an Orange and Black squad.

With the arrival of the 1990s, though, dark times fell upon the program. The Tigers were forced to fight not just with opponents but also for their very survival.

With the passage of Title IX, men's wrestling programs across the country lost funding and school support as resources were shifted toward creating more opportunities for women's varsity sports. At one point, Princeton's program lost varsity status and was only continued so that the students who had already begun their wrestling careers at the University could finish them.

McEldowney, however, and other members of the Friends of Princeton Wrestling continued to fight for the team's survival. The varsity sport status was restored in 1997, and as of Jan. 2005, the Friends' fundraising effort reached its goal of a three million dollar endowment, ensuring future funding for the team.

Even as the program fought for its survival, though, the Tigers rediscovered success on the mats. Under current head coach Mike New, the program experienced a resurrection, highlighted by the achievements of Greg Parker '03. His senior year, Parker won the EIWA title and reached the finals of the NCAA tournament.

"It was just amazing," said McEldowney, who was in attendance at the tournament. "He had friends there that had painted 'PARKER' on their bare chests. The whole place seemed to be for Greg Parker. He was a definite underdog."

Then again, being an underdog was nothing new for the program that nearly didn't make it to its 100th Anniversary. Like Parker, though, the team didn't let long odds stop it.