Lehigh mourns the loss of Dave Icenhower '71
10/27/2014 7:38:00 PM | Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh University and the college wrestling community are mourning the loss of Dave Icenhower '71, who passed away Saturday morning. Icenhower wrestled for Lehigh from 1969-1971 and later went on to a successful 35-year coaching career at Trenton State, which later became known as The College of New Jersey, turning TCNJ into a Division III national power.
At Lehigh, "Ice" amassed a 17-14-3 career record. His best season was his 1969-70 junior campaign where he went 11-5-3 and placed third at the EIWA Championships at 134 pounds.
Icenhower took over as head coach at Trenton State in 1976 and compiled a career record of 535-80-4 at TCNJ. He ranks second among Division III coaches in career wins and ranks third among dual wins at all divisions. Icenhower's 86.7 career winning percentage is the highest among coaches with at least 500 dual wins. His TCNJ teams won five national championships, including the school's first NCAA title in any sport in 1979.
In 35 seasons, Icenhower oversaw six undefeated dual seasons, 129 All-Americans, 20 Division III national champions, a Division I champion, and 27 NWCA All-Academic honorees. He retired from TCNJ in 2011.
Icenhower was inducted into the NWCA Division III Hall of Fame and the New Jersey chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A cherished member of the wrestling community both regionally and nationally, Icenhower remained a loyal supporter of Lehigh Athletics and the Lehigh wrestling program. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Christie and sons Jared and Dave Jr.
At Lehigh, "Ice" amassed a 17-14-3 career record. His best season was his 1969-70 junior campaign where he went 11-5-3 and placed third at the EIWA Championships at 134 pounds.
Icenhower took over as head coach at Trenton State in 1976 and compiled a career record of 535-80-4 at TCNJ. He ranks second among Division III coaches in career wins and ranks third among dual wins at all divisions. Icenhower's 86.7 career winning percentage is the highest among coaches with at least 500 dual wins. His TCNJ teams won five national championships, including the school's first NCAA title in any sport in 1979.
In 35 seasons, Icenhower oversaw six undefeated dual seasons, 129 All-Americans, 20 Division III national champions, a Division I champion, and 27 NWCA All-Academic honorees. He retired from TCNJ in 2011.
Icenhower was inducted into the NWCA Division III Hall of Fame and the New Jersey chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A cherished member of the wrestling community both regionally and nationally, Icenhower remained a loyal supporter of Lehigh Athletics and the Lehigh wrestling program. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Christie and sons Jared and Dave Jr.
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