Bill Koll

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameWilliam Henry "Bill"•Koll
Used nameBill•Koll
Born12 August 1923 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (USA)
Died27 September 2003 in State College, Pennsylvania (USA)
AffiliationsIowa State Cyclones, Ames (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Bill Koll wrestled at Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa), where he went undefeated in college and won the NCAA Championship in 1946-48. He was voted outstanding wrestler at the NCAA Tournament twice, the first time that had occurred. His career was interrupted by World War II, in which he participated in the Normandy landing, and earned a Bronze Star. He later became a wrestling coach, first at Northern Iowa, but most notably at Penn State for 14 years, leading them to unbeaten dual meet records five times, in 1967, 1970-72, and 1974. Koll is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. His son, Rob Koll, wrestled at the University of North Carolina. He did not make an Olympic team but also became a highly respected college wrestling coach at Cornell.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1948 Summer Olympics Wrestling USA Bill Koll
Lightweight, Freestyle, Men (Olympic) 5