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Legend schools the Gators

Former Olympic champion Doug Blubaugh recently kept wrestlers enthralled at a Land O'Lakes camp.

By MIKE TOMPKINS
Published August 4, 2005

LAND O'LAKES - For 16 area wrestlers, a few parents, an ex-champion and a few others, last week's Land O'Lakes wrestling camp was an opportunity to see technique and fundamentals taught from an icon in the sport.

For five days, Land O'Lakes coach Tom Carr brought in Doug Blubaugh, a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (1979) and the 1960 Olympic freestyle gold medalist (161-pound class) to teach his kids what it takes to succeed in the sport.

Carr attended one of Blubaugh's camps while wrestling at Muskingum (Ohio) College and became hooked.

"I want my guys to see that someone who has won a gold medal, an NCAA championship and coached those same champions, uses the same fundamentals that we do," Carr said. "Even I still learn from him. I have a different perspective now. When I was wrestling, it was "What can make me a better wrestler?' Now it's "What can make me a better coach?' As a wrestler, it's all about the moves. Now, there's more to being a good coach than just moves."

At first glance, one might question how many more moves the 70-year-old Blubaugh has left in him. Every pop from the aged knees echoed off the gym walls.

But no matter his age and physique, all eyes were on the three-time All-American and 1957 NCAA champion from Oklahoma State as he drove his knee into the foot of one of the camp's attendees.

"I missed a lot of the technique stuff, but I just wanted to come by and catch a bit of his aura," said recent Land O'Lakes graduate Bobby Castillo, set to wrestle for the University of South Florida's club team, joining former Gators Jonathon Zakel and Stephen Pruden. "Just talking to him, I mean, c'mon, the guy's a legend. That's like getting the opportunity to talk to Walter Payton."

Also in attendance was Pine View Middle School teacher/football coach Rod Chamberlain, who wrestled for Blubaugh at Indiana University and still holds the record for pins in a season (19). Chamberlain attended a Blubaugh camp as an underclassman in high school, and it led to him attending IU after two years of junior college. His son, T.J., entering the seventh grade and just venturing into the sport, attended the camp.

"This guy is the best technical coach in the sport," said the former national freestyle and junior world champion. "Some coaches have had more success, but as far as the technical aspect, there's none better. This guy pinned his way through the Olympics, defeating two former national champions, in a time when the Soviets dominated. I just hope these kids realize what an honor this is."

The man who paved the way for the Kurt Angles and Brock Lesnars of the world was quick to point out what he was teaching wasn't rocket science.

"Anyone can be successful. There are no secrets," said Blubaugh, who finished his career with more than 400 victories and only 17 losses, according to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. "All of us know the same holds. Basically, what it boils down to, is who's going to work harder and longer. They have to learn work ethic. ...

"I didn't have anyone to wrestle, because at the time, there were three wrestling facilities in the country. So I ran 20 miles a day. That's the biggest difference in the sport, if I can be frank. We didn't have the money in the sport back then. We didn't get paid if we won the Olympics. We had to go back to work. I joined the Army for three years just so I'd have a place to train."

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:05:20]