A lifetime of leading and assisting the THS wrestling program was noticed as Tomahawk’s Bob Skubal was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Menomonie last weekend.
“It’s breathtaking,” Skubal said. “To get to that level is just amazing. It’s such an honor to join the category of the people who have won this award.”
Skubal is the first from Tomahawk and fourth from Lincoln County, following Arvo Britten (2001), Norris Hattel?stad (2007) and Roger Wendorf (2007). Skubal was inducted into the George Martin Wisconsin Hall of Fame in 2007.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Skubie said. “It’s amazing the amount of pressure one puts on themselves. The place was filled to the rafters with 4-500 people. It goes to show you God has a sense of humor.”
Skubal coached for 43 years at Chilton and Tomahawk. In his 15 years as a head coach, his mentors earned 11 state titles, 20 state medals, 26 state qualifiers, 13 sectional champs, 82 sectional qualifiers, 39 regional champs, 46 conference championships, and 167 all-conference awards.
He was also very involved with the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association as the District 2 representative for over 20 years along with duties on the Coaches Advisory and 7% (body fat) committees.
In his acceptance speech, he noted the 14 beliefs he came to understand after years of coaching, namely: the glass is always half-full; if you build it they will come; carpe diem; never apologize for trying to win; nothing in life is perfect; athletes come to expect certain things from a program; remember that life will give you setbacks; I do not believe coaches should try to be buddies with their athletes; be thankful of the time that you spend with your athletes; no individual is above the success of the team; November, December and January will help define February success; and with the greatest projects come the greatest risks and greatest rewards.