50 YEAR FLASHBACK…

I was a freshman in 1971 along with Tank, George (Lurch) Chandler, and Larry Eastburn.  Coach had brought in several other freshmen, but most of them washed out within the first weeks of practice.  Additionally, several of the upperclassman from the 70/71 team decided that their wrestling days were over…… and Mario and Rick Swanger were out in 71/72 due to academics.  We didn’t have any one at the 118 lb. class and by January 1972, we were down to a team roster of 11.

Barry didn’t want to forfeit any weight classes in fear of losing teams for subsequent year’s schedules, so the entire team scoured the campus looking for small guys to fill in at 118.  I’m not sure how Barry convinced the guys to wrestle the 118 class, but  I think we put a full team out for all but 1 or 2 matches.

I remember coming into the wrestling room one day with signs on the wall “IT’S TOO LATE TO QUIT”…..my guess put up by Barry’s wife Judy.  And, we didn’t quit!  I don’t recall our actual team record for 71/72 but the eleven of us put up one hell of an effort.  If you look at the faces in attached photo, 6 of the team of 11 were a part of the 72/73 and or 73/74 roster.   We stuck together!

In addition to keeping the 71/72 team together, Barry recruited heavily.  Barry would bring the recruits to the campus and Joe, Jack, Tank,  Smitty and I assisted in giving campus tours.  I had no idea that Jed Mock, Brian Cassidy, John Carvalla and, Pete Ackerman would turn our team around.  The attached photo of the 72/73 shows the results of Barry’s efforts, 20 of us and on our way to MAC Title and undefeated the next year.

Michael (Dez) Dezelon (1971-1975)

John Hangey Reflects On The Life Of The Late Gary Taylor

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INTERVIEW WITH COACH BARRY BURTNETT

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RIDER WRESTLING BOOSTER EVENTS