How a Small College Upset All Major Competitors to Win NCAA Wrestling Championship
Arno Niemand
Arno Niemand, longtime wrestling proponent, historian and member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, has written and published “The Dream Team of 1947, “a new book chronicling the extraordinary story of the 1947 wrestling team of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
The book tells the true story of a dedicated coach named Paul Scott, a nurturing small college and town, three young superstars fresh out of high school, and five service veterans who all bonded as a team, winning the “grand slam “of amateur wrestling. Cornell was the only school outside of Oklahoma to win the NCAA team championship, something no other private school has accomplished to this day. The Great Depression, World War II, the GI Bill, struggles with scholastic achievement and a serious car crash all affect the team’s future in this real-life drama.
“Every once in a while, something happens in the world of sports that reminds us all why we care, and this story continues to inspire all who have heard it, “commented Niemand. “It’s the story of the greatest team you’ve never heard of.”
“This wrestling history is so enjoyable that I wonder why it took so long to be written, “commented Dan Gable, NCAA, World and Olympic champion, and legendary former coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes. “Thanks for giving us another reason to love the sport.”
More details can be found at http://dreamteam47.com. The book is currently available at Amazon.com and select book stores.
About Arno Niemand
Mr. Niemand is a 1956 graduate of Cornell University, where he was on the wrestling team. He was later inducted into the Cornell Hall of Distinguished Wrestling Alumni. He earned his MBA in 1958 from the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. Throughout his life, Mr. Niemand has continued to support the sport of wrestling, and in 2008 received the FILA Gold Star, the highest award given to an individual by the world governing body of wrestling. In 2009, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, earning the Order of Merit.
As previous owner and chairman of Body Bar Inc., Niemand has sponsored the USA Wrestling Women’s National Team since 2003.
SOURCE Arno Niemand
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