Iowa State Boxing head coach Terry Dowd’s resume is staggering. During his 11 year tenure, Dowd has guided 13 fighters to national titles. His program has produced 23 All-Americans. Through hard work and devotion to the sport of boxing he has earned the respect and admiration of rival coaches and athletes alike.

Most impressive, however, is the fact that Dowd has had only one boxer fail to attain a degree, a statistic that Dowd regards as his proudest achievement. “That’s the main goal,” Dowd said. “That’s why these guys are here.”

Dowd, sometimes referred to as the “Bobby Knight of boxing” by his contemporaries, requires his fighters to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, a high standard when coupled with a rigorous, often times monotonous, training regimen.

After a month of conditioning consisting mainly of running, pushups and more running, Dowd will be left with only those who are serious about competing.

ISU 190-pounder Matt Condon knows that all of the grueling preparation will be extremely beneficial during the upcoming season.

“We do a lot of conditioning,” Condon said. “It takes a lot of commitment. It can be boring but you know it’s all going to pay off.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Condon continued, “It’s better to put in the work now and be prepared. When you get in the ring and you’re not in shape, it’s no fun!”

Condon, now in his second season with the team, is seeking his first national title. “The national championship is obviously my ultimate goal,” Condon said.

Dowd believes that a national title is definitely within Condon’s reach. “If he stays focused he’ll be a national champion at the end of this season,” Dowd said.

ISU 147-pounder R.W. Brown, a runner-up at last year’s national tournament in Reno, Nevada, is the favorite to win in his weight class at this year’s nationals.

Dowd had no reservations in predicting Brown’s finish this season. “He’s going to win the title this year, no doubt about it.”

Dowd’s boxers will begin National Collegiate Boxing Association competition in November. The season will consist of five meets plus regionals and will end in April with the 1997 national tournament at Annapolis.