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Osage native and Olympic Wrestler Gerald "Germ" Leeman passes away at 86
Former University of Northern Iowa wrestling national champion and Olympic silver medalist Gerald "Germ" Leeman passed away on Fri., Oct. 10. Leeman was 86 years old. The Osage native won three state high school championships in Osage in the years 1939, 1940 and 1941.
In 18 seasons as the head coach of the Lehigh wrestling program, Leeman never had a losing season. He coached six men to nine NCAA titles, including Mike Caruso, who won three straight NCAA Championships from 1965-67. Leeman also mentored 22 men to 36 EIWA crowns and he led the Brown and White to six EIWA team championships. Leeman is survived by his wife Darlene, sons Martin and Jay '71, and daughter Jerilou.
"It's a sad day when you lose one of your heroes and Gerry was one of UNI's great heroes," UNI head wrestling coach Brad Penrith said. "He was a true champion and carried himself in a first-class manner. He had been around Cedar Falls the last few years and had come to UNI football games, UNI wrestling matches and some of our wrestling booster club meetings. He was just as passionate about the sport of wrestling today as he was when he wrestled and coached. He will truly be missed."
He is a member of several halls of fame, including the UNI Athletics Hall of Fame, Roger S.Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame, the NCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Glen Brand Iowa Hall of Fame at the Dan Gable Wrestling Institute and Museum and was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 50 Iowa athletes of the 20th century.
"Coach Leeman was truly an icon, not only in his sport of wrestling, but as a member of the Lehigh community," explained Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett '76. "His words and advice were always meaningful. I feel fortunate to have known him, especially during the time when I began my career as an assistant coach. However, I continue to be impressed by the many alumni whose lives he touched and who in turn are following his lead by serving others as well as Lehigh. He will be missed but never forgotten."
In his 18 seasons as the head coach at Lehigh, Leeman totaled a record of 161-38-4 from 1953-70. His 161 victories rank fourth all-time in school annals, while his 80.3 win percentage is tops all-time. Handpicked by the legendary Billy Sheridan to be his successor, Leeman was the coach of Lehigh's finest team, as the Brown and White went a perfect 12-0-0 during the 1961-62 season, capping it off with an EIWA crown and a fourth place finish nationally at the NCAA Tournament. Four of Leeman's wrestlers, Joe Peritore '67, Mike Caruso '67, Kirk Pendleton '63 and Ed Eichelberger '56 earned All-American accolades on three separate occasions, while another pair of grapplers, Joe Gratto '57 and Billy Stuart '66 each earned a pair of All-American honors.
"A giant has left us and I truly mean that," Caruso said. "Coach Leeman was so much more than our coach. He was a molder of men, an educator who used the lessons of strife on the mat to form foundation in his "boys," enabling them to achieve fame, fortune and esteem within their respective communities, professions and families. This is his legacy." He went on to say, "Larger than life, an icon, a legend are all overused phrases describing mortal people. None of these are inflated when describing Coach Leeman. To this day, all of his former wrestlers hold onto his every word."
A native of Osage, Iowa, Leeman served his country in World War II as a Navy carrier pilot. Lehigh's home wrestling arena, Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall, is named in honor of the former coach as well as fellow Lehigh Athletics Hall of Famer Thad Turner '61. A member of the National Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame, Leeman led Lehigh to six EIWA team championships during his tenure, including in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1967.
Leeman had a distinguished career as a wrestler and a coach. He won three state high school championships (1939, 1940, 1941) at Osage High School, two national AAU championships, an NCAA championship (1946) where he was named outstanding wrestler, and a silver medal at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1948, and after coming to Lehigh that same year, coached for 34 years and five different sports.
Following his retirement from coaching at Lehigh in 1970, Leeman remained active with Lehigh wrestling and other athletic programs. He served as an assistant to Turner from 1971-82 and also coached tennis, soccer, cross country and track. Leeman never had a losing record during his 34 years at Lehigh.
"It's a truly sad day for all of us at Lehigh," former Lehigh head wrestling coach Greg Strobel explained. "He was really a great man and I am honored to have met him. I'm glad I had the chance to go see him last spring and also to have spoken with him recently. He will be sorely missed."
Speaking of Leeman's proudest moments as a coach and mentor, Caruso added, "Coach said to me that the Championships he won at Lehigh, the All-Americans and the National Champions he coached, all of that was important at the time. But he always said he was proudest of what his wrestlers did after Lehigh - for their accomplishments in the medical field, in the business world, throughout the community, that is what he was most proud of."
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 14, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1301 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, with burial in Cedar Crest Cemetery, Jesup. Military rites were conducted by Pump-Scheer American Legion Post 342 of Jesup. Visitation was held Monday, Oct. 13, at White Funeral Home, 1315 Main St., Jesup, and continued an hour before services Tuesday at the church.
Story created Oct 14, 2008 - 10:55:26 CDT.
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