Jay, here.
Well, this is a bit of a first.
This post is going to be a blog exclusive and not posted to Duck Sports News. Why? Because there really isn’t any news here.
But I think there’s a pretty good opportunity for some discussion. So, let’s give it a shot.
Over the past two weeks, there has been a healthy debate on this blog regarding the University of Oregon’s decision to eliminate wrestling. When isn’t there? I know.
One of the best contributors to that discussion, and one of the strongest voices, is Riverside Pirate Wrestling Coach Richard Rockwell. In one his posts, Richard highlighted a great biography on one of Oregon’s most distinguished wrestlers, Greg Gibson.
Not long after that, another great contributor, Hank, suggested that maybe this blog should grapple with “Who’s the Greatest UO Athlete of All-Time?”.
Here’s Hank tossing out a few names:
But throughout UO sports history there have been many other stellar multi-sport athletes–and even other similarly scary dudes (say hello to Igor Olshansky). Ronnie Lee had coaches from four different sports drooling over his professional potential. Yet in an epic practicum PE class decathlon battle, the ultra-competitive Lee was stunningly bested by Duane Stutzman, another All-American wrestler. What do you do with Jordan Kent? Chris Miller? Mel Renfro? It’s hard to compare different sports and eras.
Is Greg Gibson the greatest athlete ever to come out of the UO? Richard points us to his bio:
Greg Gibson was born on November 20, 1953, in Redding, CA. In high school, Gibson excelled at football and wrestling. After High School Gibson attended Shasta College where he once again dominated both sports and was subsequently noticed by the coaches at The University of Oregon.
He has been called the “most versatile wrestler anywhere, ever” since his collegiate days at Oregon, but he was a pretty amazing football player. He started two seasons at defensive tackle for the Ducks, and though he dreamed of being a professional football player, life led him to wrestling.
Gibson may have been too small as NFL defensive lineman, but his physical stature was perfect as a heavyweight on the wrestling mat. In 1975, he won the PAC-10 Conference title, carrying Oregon to its first-ever team crown, and finished second in successive NCAA Championships, earning All-American Honors each year.
Gibson was named the PAC-10 Wrestler of Year in 1976 and won the 1977 USA Wrestling National Freestyle Heavyweight Championship.
You can read more of his bio here.
Who’s Oregon’s Greatest Athlete of All-Time? Greg Gibson? Mel Krause? Steve Prefontaine? Mel Renfro? Bev Smith?
You tell me.
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Tags: Athletes, Ducks, Greatest, Greg Gibson, Mel Renfro, Steve Prefontaine, University of Oregon, Wrestling
Richard Says:
May 27th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
If we’re talking all around athlete, then I have to say Gibson. This guy was a physical specimen(still is last time I saw him).
If we say just one sport athletes, then Pre.
Rich Says:
May 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Two Candidates:
Mel Renfro: ‘61-63
Outstanding player on BOTH offense and defense. Scored 141 points in 3 years.
Made the Pro Bowl his first 10 seasons in the NFL as a corner. Is in the NFL Hall.
Mel was also a great track athlete, and finished 2nd in the ‘62 NCAA high hurdles
He finished his career with 4 UO football and 2 track records.
Ahmad Rashad (Bobby Moore): ‘69-71
The only player to have led the PAC-8 in scoring from two different positions. He had an outstanding NFL career (4 time Pro-Bowler), and might have been good enough to have played professional tennis if he wanted.
John Says:
June 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
No question, Mark Barwig. He drank the Kool Aid every day!