Greg Strobel, who compiled a 124-5-1 record and was a three-time All-American while wrestling at Oregon State, died in his sleep Thursday.
Strobel, a Scappoose native, was 68.
Oregon State and Lehigh University, where Strobel was an administrator and coach from 1995-2019, announced his death on their websites.
Strobel wrestled at Oregon State from 1971-74, winning NCAA titles in 1973 and 1974. Strobel won three Pacific-8 championships, and once won 74 consecutive matches, still an OSU record. Strobel’s 124 victories rank among Oregon State’s all-time top 10.
At the 1973 NCAA tournament, Strobel was named as Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“I, like everyone in the wrestling community, was deeply saddened by the loss of coach Strobel,” Oregon State coach Chris Pendleton said in a statement. “He was an amazing man who was beloved by all. On a personal note, Greg, I loved getting to know you better the past couple of months. From the hiring process, to your mentorship of a young head coach. You forever changed my family’s life, and I could never thank you enough.”
Strobel is a member of several Halls of Fame, including Oregon State and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Strobel has a long, storied coaching career. It began at Roseburg High, where he was wrestling coach from 1977-81. He spent time as an Oregon State assistant, and in 2000, was the U.S. Olympic head coach. Strobel spent parts of two decades working with USA Wrestling. Strobel’s final college stop was coach at Lehigh from 1995-2008, a period when his teams won 189 dual meets, had 30 All-Americans and two NCAA champions.
Strobel retired as an administrator in Lehigh athletics in 2019.
--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel