Marion honors late coach

Marion's annual varsity tournament has a new name to honor the man who served as the cornerstone for the school's wrestling program. Saturday marked the first Loyd Shaffer Marion Invitational, honoring the longtime Indians wrestling coach who passed away in 2009 at the age of 66.A brief ceremony was held at the event, which was attended by his wife, Marty, and other members of his family. Marion Coach Bruce Weisinger, who helped Shaffer as a volunteer assistant his last few seasons before taking over the program for the 1991-92 season, worked with Marion Athletics Director Corby Laube for the tribute."It was for all he had done for Marion and the sport, honoring all his successes when he was coaching," Weisinger said. "In the 1970's and 1980's Marion was pretty dominating in the Wamac."It was a natural to honor him in this way."Shaffer was just the second varsity wrestling coach at the school, assisting on the football staff as well. Shaffer guided the Indians to 13 conference tournament titles and 10 more conference dual crowns in a 25-year career that began in 1965. Shaffer, a Maquoketa prep and Coe College graduate, coached 73 conference champions and 15 state medalists, including two Class 2A state champions - John Royer (145) in 1989 and Rick Danford (115) in 1970.Weisinger said he influence on the younger Marion coaches he worked with, but his biggest impact came working with individual athletes."It was just what he demanded as far as being a tough athlete," Weisinger said. "He was someone who cared about the kids and that's probably what made him special and unique. The kids would go out there and take that extra step for him."