University of Minnesota Athletics
Dale Hanson - M Club Hall of Fame
Dale Hanson
Class of 2009
Wrestling: 1938-40
The present day success of Minnesota wrestling can be traced back to the ground work laid in the early days of the sport. Minnesota became a presence on the national seen in the late 1930's and early 1940's, claiming five straight top-10 finishes at the National Championships. The star of those early teams was Dale Hanson, who competed for the Golden Gophers from 1938-1940, becoming the program's first two-time Big Ten Champion.
Hanson won his first Big Ten individual championship in 1939, becoming just the sixth Golden Gopher to earn an Individual Big Ten title, and the first at 128 pounds. In 1940, he successfully defended his Championship, setting himself apart as the first wrestler in Minnesota history to win two, individual conference titles.
Along with his success in the Big Ten, Hanson became Minnesota's second National Champion in 1939, when he won the title at 128 pounds and was named Most Outstanding wrestler at the NCAA Championships. It was his first All-America honor, as he became just the fifth wrestler to earn All-America accolades. In 1940, he became an All-American again, when he finished runner-up at 128 pounds. In doing so, became the second Minnesota wrestler to earn All-America status in back-to-back seasons.
During his time with the Golden Gophers, Hanson led them to three straight top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, a 20-4-1 dual meet record and a perfect 6-0 mark in Big Ten dual meets. In 1938, the Golden Gophers placed sixth in the Big Ten and sixth in the nation, before placing fourth in both the Big Ten and the nation in 1939. In his final season in 1940, Hanson led the U to another fourth place finish in the Big Ten, and a seventh place national tally.
The 12th Gopher wrestler to be inducted into the "M" Club Hall of Fame, Hanson lost his life during World War II in service of his country on Oct. 5, 1942 at the age of 24 while serving as an Army Air Corps pilot.