Jack Brisco Passes Away at Age 68
Friday, March 5th, 2010 | Columns, WIN Magazine, Wrestling | No Comments
Two WIN Magazine issues ago, I wrote about the passing of Steve “Dr. Death” Williams, who attended the WIN show two years ago in St. Louis. This issue, I am sad to report on the death of Jack Brisco, who was a guest at our WIN show in 2004.
Brisco died February 1 at age 68, from complications of heart surgery two weeks previous. He had been in ill health for the past several months. He was a star of the great Oklahoma State teams of the mid-1960s, winning the NCAA title at 191 pounds in 1965 after finishing second the year before. Jack only lost one match his entire college career and was a three-time state champion at Blackwell High School in Oklahoma.
Jack turned professional in 1965 and eventually became world heavyweight champion. He was a huge star for two decades. He was long retired and living in Tampa, Florida, when he died. Jack loved amateur wrestling and was extremely proud of his career in Oklahoma. He was the subject of a terrific biography written by Bill Murdock, called BRISCO, published in 2003.
Jack Brisco was an engaging, friendly man and a true champion of sport. He will be missed by all who knew him.
The Day Tarzan Came Home to Iowa
Thursday, January 14th, 2010 | Columns, Iowa History Journal, Wrestling | No Comments
This is the Publisher’s Perspective column from Volume 2, Issue 1 of Iowa History Journal:
During my long career in journalism I’ve had the opportunity to meet many interesting personalities … from President Ronald Reagan to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, from actors like Robert Redford and Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk” of TV fame) to super athletes like Dick Butkus and Bob Mathias.
But one of the most memorable moments came when Tarzan visited Iowa City.
I was editor of the Voice of the Hawkeyes newspaper in 1985 when Dan Gable, Iowa’s wrestling coach at the time, called me and asked if I had any ideas on who he could get to be an “honorary coach” at the upcoming wrestling match between the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones. The meet was already a very big deal back then, but he was trying to put a little extra excitement into the event and thought it would be fun to have someone special with his team on the bench.
I said, “How about a former movie Tarzan?”
“That sounds interesting,” he replied, “but what’s the connection with Iowa?”
Iowa History Journal Volume 2, Issue 1 Now Available
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 | Iowa History Journal | No Comments
The January, 2010, issue features articles on the great career of Iowa basketball legend Murray Wier, former movie Tarzan Jock Mahoney of Davenport, the Younkers store dynasty, the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Spirit Lake Massacre of 1857!
Also columns by regulars Mike Chapman, Arvid Huisman and John McNeer; Iowa History Quiz, and a book review on the best-selling book “The Girls of Ames.”
The feature article in the issue is about the great Corn Palaces of Iowa.
Inside the Issue:
- The Day Tarzan came to Iowa
- Natural Royalty, Iowa’s Palaces – by Bill Sherman
- Murray Wier, the Magic Man – by Buck Turnbull
- Iowa Country Roads – Memories live on in farmhouses – by Arvid Huisman
- Rock ‘n Roll Museum … Here to stay – by Michael Swanger
- Jock Mahoney, King of the Jungle – by Mike Chapman
- Iowa Book Review on “Girls from Ames” – by Jessica Lowe
- The Way We Were – Phones once shared by everyone – by John McNeer
- Memory of the Spirit Lake Massacre – by Pete Hussmann
- Younkers’ 150-Year Heritage – by Staff Writers
- When Sleighs took over Council Bluffs – by Frank Heath
- What’s in a Name: Waverly & Bremer County
- Iowa History Quiz
- Nile Kinnick Quotes: The Power of the Bible
- Letters to the Editor
Visit IowaHistoryJournal.com to subscribe!
The Day Gable Wrestled ‘Goober’
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 | Columns, WIN Magazine, Wrestling | No Comments
There have been many great wrestling showdowns through the decades, such as Caruso-Fehrs, Behm- Sanders, Lewis-Smith, Fraser-Houck, Perry-Hendricks. They were all classic matches, to be sure.
But one match that never makes the list is Gable-Goober.
And for good reason. It was a pure mismatch from the outset, and there was nothing important about the match at all.
But it surely was the funniest wrestling match of all time!
Upcoming Speeches and Appearances
Wrestling Tough, 2nd Edition – Now Available!
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The 2nd edition to the popular Wrestling Tough, this new book is loaded with stories of many current stars and many behind-the-scene stories of legendary figures from the sport of Wrestling. As Dan Gable wrote, “Wrestling Tough is much more than learning about being successful on the mat. It’s for all who would like to dominate or develop a passion for any sport. Incredible reading! Get energized and be entertained at the same time!” |
Order today by calling Culture House at 641-791-3072 or online through Paypal by clicking the button below
Journey: Reflections on 50 Years of Writing, Wrestling, Weightlifting, and Heroes – Order Today!
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