ISU head wrestling coach Bobby Douglas has accomplished just about everything possible in the sport of wrestling.

A 1965 Big Eight champion for Oklahoma State, Douglas has been selected as the 2005 recipient of the Edward Clark Gallagher Award.

“I’m honored to have the award,” Douglas said. “It’s perhaps the most prestigious award any coach in the country could receive, considering the people who have won it before.”

The award is presented each year to an Oklahoma State alumnus who shows great leadership and determination in the sport of wrestling.

“He’s a great leader because of the way he treats everyone,” senior Nick Passolano said. “He doesn’t just treat us as wrestlers, he treats us as part of his family.”

Douglas owns more than 400 career coaching wins, placing him third on the all time win list behind Dale Thomas and former Cyclone coach Harold Nichols.

“He’s always pushing us and has done so much in his career that it’s hard not to follow every word he says,” junior Nate Gallick said. “Even if you don’t want to hear it, he’s probably right.

“He never settles for less than perfect. If he sees [an error], he’ll correct it and make you get it right.”

Douglas, who has coached at both the collegiate and international level, helped lead Kevin Jackson and Cael Sanderson to Olympic gold medals.

“He is one of the most successful college coaches ever,” Sanderson said. “When you look at where he came from — his humble beginnings — nobody could be more deserving than him.

“He leads through example and experience. Everyone in [the wrestling room] couldn’t respect him more, and that’s really important for a leader.”

Because of his contributions to wrestling over the years, Cyclone wrestlers said they think Douglas should have been presented with the award before now.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten it sooner,” Passolano said. “I’m glad I’m here to share in him receiving this award. It’s an honor for him to achieve this.”

“He deserves every award that’s ever out there,” assistant coach and former Cyclone wrestler Chris Bono said.

“He’s the master. He knows everything there is for technique and he studies films and always has the answers.”

Douglas, who finished his wrestling career 303-17-7, has always pushed to take wrestling to the next level.

He has been a leader at the national level, and has tried for years to change a riding time rule in collegiate wrestling in an effort to force the wrestlers to engage in more intense matches.

Former Cyclone wrestler Zach Roberson, the 2004 133-pound national champion, said Douglas works hard to be a role model for the athletes.

Douglas said his techniques were not solely built by his own mind, but that he has learned a great deal from, and greatly respects, the men who coached him when he was a wrestler.