Bob Siddens (1991) - Hall of Fame

Bob Siddens

Induction:
1991
Class:
1949

With a dual record of 327 wins, 26 losses and three ties, Bob Siddens is one of the most successful high school wrestling coaches in Iowa history.

While coaching at West High School in Waterloo, Siddens' teams won 11 Iowa team championships, placed second seven times and took third place three times. He coached 51 individual state champions, 33 runners-up and 24 third-place finishers. His teams won 19 conference championships and 20 district championships.

Wrestlers coached by Siddens have had a great deal of success after high school, winning nine NCAA championships. The most recognizable wrestler he coached is University of Iowa coach Dan Gable.

For his achievements as a coach, Siddens has earned awards too numerous to list. Most notable among these are his Iowa Coach of the Year award in 1970, his National Scholastic Coach of the Year ared in 1974, his National High School Athletics Coach of the Year award in 1977, his Max Rappoport Masters of Wrestlers National Award in 1985, and his Iowa Athletics Coaches Association Recognition Award in 1987.

But, Siddens has been far more than a coach in his 41-year career. In his 'spare time,' Siddens has worked as an official for football, baseball and wrestling. He officiated 25 NCAA tournaments, along with many Big 8, Big Ten, North Central Conference and Mid-Continent tournaments. He also has written articles for several wrestling and officiating publications, including Amateur Wrestling News, Scholastic Wrestling News and Iowa High School Athletic News.

In 1969, he was elected to the Helms Hall of Fame, in 1977 he was inducted into the All Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, in 1979 to the Iowa Officials Hall of Fame, in 1980 to the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame, in 1988 to the National High School Hall of Fame and in 1990 to the Iowa Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.

In 1990, Siddens retired from the Waterloo School District, where he had served as a coach, teacher and athletic director since 1950.