Jack VanBebber

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJack Francis•VanBebber
Used nameJack•VanBebber
Nick/petnamesBlackjack
Born27 July 1907 in Perry, Oklahoma (USA)
Died13 April 1986 in Perry, Oklahoma (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Though Oklahoma State has produced many great wrestlers, Jack VanBebber was once voted the greatest wrestler ever to take the mat for the Stillwater college. For his efforts he became a member of the Helms Hall of Games, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Jim Thorpe-Oklahoma Hall of Fame. At the 1932 Olympics, VanBebber represented the Los Angeles AC when he won the gold medal, adding it to his collection of titles, which included three AAU and three NCAA Championships. After the Olympics, VanBebber coached wrestling and taught economics briefly, but later made his living as an employee of the Phillips Oil Company in his native Oklahoma.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Summer Olympics Wrestling USA Jack VanBebber
Welterweight, Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold