Lehigh University Athletics
Eichelberger elected to National Wrestling HOF
12/12/2008 11:00:00 AM | Men's Wrestling
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Former Lehigh wrestler Ed Eichelberger ‘56 is one of four men selected as distinguished members to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, it was announced on Friday. Eichelberger, Lehigh’s first two-time NCAA wrestling champion and one of just three Lehigh wrestlers to be named Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA tournament, will be formally inducted at the Honors Weekend Banquet and Induction Ceremony in Stillwater, Oklahoma, June 5-6, 2009.
Eichelberger amassed a career record of 55-3-1 on the mats for the Brown and White and was Lehigh’s first three-time All-America. After losing in the national finals to Oklahoma A&M’s Myron Roderick in 1954, Eichelberger went on to post a 40-0 record in his final two seasons for Lehigh. In 1955, Eichelberger went 19-0 and captured the NCAA title at 147, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at the NCAA tournament. The following year, he repeated as champion with a 21-0 season record.
In addition, Eichelberger claimed a pair of EIWA titles and was one of Lehigh’s most accomplished dual meet wrestlers, as well as pinners. Eichelberger was an incredible 30-1-1 in dual meets in his Lehigh career and ranks second in school annals with 37 falls. He holds the school record with eight consecutive wins by fall, and eight falls in NCAA Tournament competition.
A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Eichelberger won three state championships wrestling for Granby High School under legendary head coach Billy Martin, before moving onto Lehigh, where he was coached by the late Gerry Leeman.
Eichelberger earned his degree in electrical engineering and has been employed by IBM since 1956.
Joining Eichelberger as distinguished members in the class of 2009 are Peter Blair, a two-time NCAA Champion and Olympic bronze medalist from Navy, Greco-Roman Olympic Medalist Dennis Koslowski, and Les Gutches, a two-time NCAA Champion and world freestyle champion from Oregon State.
The Hall of Fame's board of governors approved these selections at its semi-annual meeting held in Las Vegas earlier this month. The June 2008 induction event will mark the 33rd anniversary Class of the Hall of Fame & Museum.
