Hall of Fame

DALE SAMUELSON

For thirty-one years, Oakley native Coach Dale Samuelson successfully led the Plainsmen wrestling team. The 1968 Oakley high graduate wrestled for the Plainsmen earning a state runner-up medal his senior year. Coach Samuelson continued his wrestling career at Colby Community College where he was a two time All-American placing fourth in the Nation two years in a row. From Colby it was on to wrestle at Division I Kansas State University. He wrestled for the Wildcats in 1971 and 1972. He was the coach for the Wildcats during the 1972-73 season.

In 1973, the twenty-three year old Coach Samuelson returned to his hometown and began a long teaching and coaching career at Oakley High School that was to last until his retirement in 2004. A list of his remarkable achievements as the head Plainsman include 104 State Placers, thirty-one individual State Champions, fourteen top five state team finishes, one State Team Championship, two Runner Up State Team finishes, four Third Place State Team finishes, seven Fourth Place State Team finishes, one Fifth Place finish, and twenty-three top ten state team finishes. In addition, he was selected the KWCA 3-2-1A Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2004, and 2004 Coach of the Year for all classes.

Coach Samuelson coached longer than any other coach in the always tough and competitive Northwest Kansas League (NWKL). He became known affectionately as the “Grand Pooh-Bah” of the NWKL and was well respected by other coaches, wrestlers, and fans across the state of Kansas.

Coach Samuelson was the leading force behind the success of the Oakley High School wrestling program. He coached for many years in one of the toughest leagues in Kansas and his Oakley teams were considered one of the powerhouses across the state. When fans talk of Oakley and wrestling, they talk about Coach Samuelson. His coaching and leadership touched generations of Oakley wrestlers, students, parents, and fans throughout his 31-year career. Coaching is more than winning championships, creating successful teams and state placers; it helps young men develop into adults who appreciate hard work and dealing with adversity and life. To the Oakley community, Dale Samuelson is their “Coach.”