All-Leeman Reunion
4/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
All-Leeman Reunion
Lehigh wrestlers met to honor former coach Gerry Leeman for an All-Leeman Reunion on Sunday, February 18, at the Leeman-Turner Arena in Grace Hall. The event was sponsored by the Lehigh Athletics Partnership and followed the Lehigh vs. Penn wrestling match at Stabler Arena.
Leeman was recruited to join the Lehigh wrestling staff by renowned coach Billy Sheridan in 1950. He took over the head coach position in 1953 and produced 18 winning seasons in 18 years, including Lehigh’s all-time finest record of 12-0-0 during the 1961-62 season. He coached six men to nine NCAA titles and 22 men to 36 EIWA crowns. With 161 all-time dual victories, Leeman is fourth in school annals, behind Sheridan, current head coach Greg Strobel, and Thad Turner.
Even after his official retirement as head wrestling coach in 1970, Leeman remained active with Lehigh wrestling and other athletic programs. He served as an assistant to Turner from 1971-1982 and also coached tennis, soccer, cross-country and track. Leeman never had a losing record during his 34 years at Lehigh.
The accomplishments of Leeman’s teams can be traced back to his personal success. He was a National AAU champion in 1940 while still in high school, an NCAA champion and “Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet” in 1946 for Northern Iowa, and continued on to become a silver medalist in the 1948 Olympics in London. His medal is housed in the Leeman-Turner Arena, which was dedicated in 2003 by alumni donors Elaine O. and John J. Harmon, class of '59.
In honor of his impact as an athlete and legendary collegiate coach, Leeman was rewarded with inductions into the National Wrestling Museum, United States Wrestling and Lehigh Athletics Halls of Fame.
Over 40 wrestlers and their families returned to Leeman-Turner Arena to celebrate “The Coach’s” renowned career and share memories. Current student-athletes learned about Lehigh wrestling traditions from Leeman’s wrestlers, including five NCAA national champions.
Attendees paged through archived articles and watched a presentation of photographs, memories and quotes from their teammates about the Leeman years. “It was a splendid ‘low key’ yet memorable event planned by our Athletic Partnership that Gerry will never forget,” said Leon Harbold, Class of ’59.
For information on future athletic reunions and events, contact Lehigh Athletics Partnership Director Barb Turanchik at 610-758-3132.
