Oklahoma State University Athletics
Harlow to be Inducted into Wrestling Hall of Fame
November 05, 2015 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State wrestler and NCAA champion William (Bill) Harlow has been honored as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for the class of 2016, the organization announced this week.
"Bill Harlow is well deserving of this honor," Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith said. "He was a great wrestler, and he also was a great coach. He influenced a lot of young people. I've never met one of his student athletes who didn't love him. There's no question that during his competitive days, he was one of the greatest big guys that we've ever had. I never got to see him wrestle, but I've seen film on him and he was a pretty remarkable athlete."
A Distinguished Member can be a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition, a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and has compiled an outstanding record, a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport, or a combination of the above qualifications.
Harlow, a Sewanee, Tennessee-native, was a three-time NCAA finalist for the Cowboys, producing second-place finishes at 177 pounds in 1964 and 1965, before moving up to 191 pounds, which saw him to an undefeated season and an NCAA title in 1966. Harlow was also a two-time Big 8 Champion. During his time at OSU, he recorded 54 wins with only five losses and two ties.
During his international career, Harlow was a three-time national freestyle champion, winning a silver medal at the 1970 World Freestyle Championships. He also earned Outstanding Wrestler honors in 1974.
After retiring from competition, Harlow spent 50 years coaching at high schools all over the nation, including Illinois, Oklahoma and Alaska. He retired from coaching in 2013, but not before receiving the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005. Also, in 2010, he was honored with The Gallagher Award, which is presented annually to an OSU wrestling alumnus who exemplifies the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for June 3-4 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
"Bill Harlow is well deserving of this honor," Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith said. "He was a great wrestler, and he also was a great coach. He influenced a lot of young people. I've never met one of his student athletes who didn't love him. There's no question that during his competitive days, he was one of the greatest big guys that we've ever had. I never got to see him wrestle, but I've seen film on him and he was a pretty remarkable athlete."
A Distinguished Member can be a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition, a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and has compiled an outstanding record, a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport, or a combination of the above qualifications.
Harlow, a Sewanee, Tennessee-native, was a three-time NCAA finalist for the Cowboys, producing second-place finishes at 177 pounds in 1964 and 1965, before moving up to 191 pounds, which saw him to an undefeated season and an NCAA title in 1966. Harlow was also a two-time Big 8 Champion. During his time at OSU, he recorded 54 wins with only five losses and two ties.
During his international career, Harlow was a three-time national freestyle champion, winning a silver medal at the 1970 World Freestyle Championships. He also earned Outstanding Wrestler honors in 1974.
After retiring from competition, Harlow spent 50 years coaching at high schools all over the nation, including Illinois, Oklahoma and Alaska. He retired from coaching in 2013, but not before receiving the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005. Also, in 2010, he was honored with The Gallagher Award, which is presented annually to an OSU wrestling alumnus who exemplifies the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for June 3-4 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
