“Gadson Strong Day” set for April 6

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced Monday that April 6 will be declared 'Gadson Strong Day” in Waterloo, honoring the Iowa State NCAA champion and former Waterloo East two-time state champion.

Gadson won the 197-pound title, pinning Ohio State's Kyle Snyder for the championship March 21 in St. Louis, Mo., becoming the 13th Waterloo native to claim an NCAA Division I crown. He was the first since Mike Van Arsdale won a title for Iowa State in 1988.

The gold medal capped his career as a three-time All-American for the Cyclones.

'Kyven is a great addition to the impressive list of Division I NCAA wrestling champions from Waterloo,” said museum namesake Dan Gable. 'He made many very proud, but none more than his deceased father, Willie, who himself was a championship wrestler and coach.

'Kyven serves as an example for local future champions to step up to this level of performance. After all, there is a wrestling museum in downtown Waterloo that can't just live off the past.”

Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark will make the proclamation at 5:30 p.m. at a city council meeting. A ceremony will be held at the museum, starting at 6 p.m. Gadson, Iowa State coach Kevin Jackson, gable and former Waterloo East wrestler, two-time NCAA Division II champion and Hall of Fame Wartburg Coach Jim Miller will speak.

The event will include an ice cream social, referencing to a nationwide post-match interview where Gadson said he wanted some ice cream.

Gadson Strong Day to be declared in Waterloo on Monday, April 6

WATERLOO, Iowa - Waterloo's most recent NCAA wrestling champion, Kyven Gadson, will be recognized with his own day. Gadson Strong Day will be declared in Waterloo, Iowa, on Monday, April 6.

A reception will be held at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.

Gadson won state wrestling championships for Waterloo East High School in 2009 and 2010 after placing third in 2008. He went on to compete for Iowa State University where he was a three-time All-American and a three-time Big 12 champion.

Gadson won the 2015 NCAA wrestling tournament at 197 pounds, becoming the 13th wrestler from a Waterloo high school to become a Division I NCAA wrestling champion. He is also the second Division I NCAA wrestling champion from Waterloo East High School.

The first Division I NCAA champion from Waterloo East was Northern Iowa's Bill Dotson. He won both the Division II and Division I NCAA wrestling tournament in 1963.

'I'm proud of Kyven and his historic achievement,” said Dotson. 'It feels good to have another NCAA champion from Waterloo East High School. I'm glad his historic achievement will be recognized in such a significant fashion.”

Kyven's father, Willie, coached Waterloo East High School from 2004-2012. Willie earned All-American honors and Big Eight championships for Iowa State in 1975 and 1976. He was also an assistant wrestling coach for the Cyclones from 1979-1982. Willie passed away after a yearlong battle with cancer on March 10, 2013.

'Kyven is a great addition to the impressive list of Division I NCAA wrestling champions from Waterloo,” said museum namesake Dan Gable. 'He made many very proud, but none more than his deceased father, Willie, who himself was a championship wrestler and coach.

'Kyven serves as an example for local future champions to step up to this level of performance. After all, there is a wrestling museum in downtown Waterloo that can't just live off the past.”

Waterloo mayor Buck Clark will read a proclamation at 5:30 p.m. on April 6 during the Waterloo City Council meeting.

Wells Blue Bunny is sponsoring a reception with ice cream and a program for Gadson at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum beginning at 6 p.m.

The Dan Gable Museum is located at 303 Jefferson St. in Waterloo.

Scheduled speakers include Jim Miller, Kevin Jackson, Dan Gable, and Kyven Gadson.

Miller, a graduate of Waterloo East High School, won Division II NCAA championships for Northern Iowa in 1974 and 1975. He coached Wartburg to 10 Division III NCAA wrestling championships.

Jackson is the current head wrestling coach at Iowa State. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1992, and World Championships in 1991 and 1995.

Gable graduated from West Waterloo High School. He was a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa State (1968-69) and an Olympic gold medalist in 1972.

Schedule of events

5:30 p.m. - Gadson Strong Day proclamation read aloud at the Waterloo City Council meeting.

6 p.m. - Ice cream social at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum

6:30 p.m. - Program at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. Speakers include Jim Miller, Kevin Jackson, Dan Gable, and Kyven Gadson.

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