Hall of Fame
A native of Edinboro, Pa., Bruce Baumgartner was arguably the most internationally decorated athlete ever to compete at Indiana State University, Baumgartner captured an NCAA individual championship at his weight class in 1982. During his career at Indiana State, he posted a collegiate record of 134-12.
Following his graduation, he won 14 World and Olympic titles. He was a seven-time World Cup champion, a three-time Pan American Games champion and a three-time World Champion (1986, 1993, and 1995).
In Olympic competition, he captured four medals, including the gold in 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1992 (Barcelona), the silver in 1988 (Seoul) and the bronze in 1996 (Atlanta).
The 1996 Olympic Games were particularly special for Baumgartner who was the flag bearer for the U.S. Team for both the opening and closing ceremonies.
In addition to his international accolades, Baumgartner was the recipient of the 1995 James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the nation’s top amateur athlete. In 1993, he earned the Indiana State University Distinguished Alumni Award.
A 1982 graduate from Indiana State with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts, Baumgartner was inducted into the Indiana State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002.