FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Ray Carter, House Media
Capitol: (405) 557-7421

Contact: State Rep. Rex Duncan
Capitol: (405) 557-7344
Sand Springs: (918) 584-3434

State House Honors Wrestling Great Danny Hodge

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 29) - Oklahoma wrestling great Danny Hodge was
honored by state lawmakers who declared him an "Oklahoma Sports Hero" on
Tuesday.
The special recognition was granted alongside declaration of "Danny
Hodge" Day on March 29.
"Danny Hodge has been a dominant figure in athletics since the
1950s and continues to amaze people today with his physical prowess,"
said State Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs. "How many men in their 70s
do you know who can crush an apple barehanded?"
A citation authored by Duncan, who represents Hodge's hometown
of Perry, notes that Hodge "is the only athlete in the history of the
sports to win national championships in both boxing and wrestling,
earning the National Golden Gloves boxing Championship, the National AAU
Boxing Championship and the National Collegiate Wrestling Championship."
The citation, adopted by the Oklahoma House of Representatives
on Tuesday, also notes that Hodge represented the United States in the
World Olympics twice and won a Silver Medal in wrestling in 1956.
During his collegiate wrestling career, Hodge won all 46 of his
bouts at the University of Oklahoma - 36 by fall - and was a three-time
NCAA champion and twice voted Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA
Tournament.
The citation notes that Hodge is the "only wrestler at any level
of competition to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine."
The citation declares that Hodge has represented Oklahoma "with
pride, character, intellect, sportsmanship and legendary strength" and
that all citizens of Oklahoma can "take great pride in his awesome
accomplishments" and recognizes Hodge as an "Oklahoma Sports Hero."
In a separate proclamation, Gov. Brad Henry declared March 29
"Dan Allen 'Danny' Hodge Day in Oklahoma.
Hodge was born on May 13, 1932 in Noble County and grew up in
Perry, where he began wrestling at an early age.
During his high school years, Hodge became an All-American
amateur wrestler in the 145-pound weight class. He later wrestled for
the University of Oklahoma.
During his junior and senior years in college, Hodge pinned 22
consecutive opponents and no opponent ever took him to the mat from
standing position.
Hodge has been named a Distinguished Member of the United States
National Wrestling Hall of Fame and a member of the Oklahoma
Professional Boxing Commission.
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