University of Minnesota Athletics
Verne Gagne
9/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Verne Gagne |
Verne Gagne grew up on a farm near Hamel, Minn., and went on to graduate from Robbinsdale High School in 1943 as a two-time state heavyweight wrestling champion. Gagne then came to the U of M to wrestle and play football, where he played both ways as a defensive end and tight end. After winning a Big Ten wrestling title at 175 pounds in 1944 as a freshman, Gagne went into the Marine Corps to serve in WWII. Stationed in Santa Ana, Calif., Gagne played football for the El Toro Marine team for the next two years while also teaching the art of hand-to-hand combat to his fellow soldiers.
He returned to the Gophers in 1946, however, and picked up right where he left off. Gagne would claim three more conference wrestling titles from 1947-49, thus becoming the first-ever four-time Big Ten champion. He also won a pair of NCAA championships, first as a 191-pounder in 1948, and then as a heavyweight in 1949. The three-time All-American won the 1949 AAU Wrestling Championship, as well. In addition, Gagne was also a member of the 1948 U.S. Olympic Greco Roman wrestling team.
From there, Gagne briefly pursued a career in professional football, signing with the Green Bay Packers, but chose instead to make a career in the world of professional wrestling. There, he would become a household name over the next four decades as both a world heavyweight champion wrestler, as well as a promoter, with his All-Star Wrestling circuit that was based out of Minneapolis. Fame and fortune would follow in his wake. Among his many honors and accolades, Gagne is a member of the David Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame.
M Club Hall of Fame
