OU Mourns Loss of Stan Abel

NORMAN – The University of Oklahoma Athletics family and wrestling community mourn the loss of Stan Abel, a National Wrestling Hall of Famer and former Oklahoma head coach, who passed away on June 28 at the age of 87.

Abel, who wrestled at OU and later served as head coach from 1973-93, led the Sooners to the 1974 national championship and is the program's all-time leader in wins. He achieved 279 dual victories at OU and finished with a .690 winning percentage.

"Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Stan Abel," said head wrestling coach Roger Kish. "Coach Abel was truly one of the greats of our sport, and his impact on the wrestling world will always be felt. We share our deepest condolences to his family and friends."

Abel's wrestling career spanned five decades. A native of Oklahoma City, he was a three-time All-American for the Sooners, winning the 130-pound national title in 1959 and 1960. His championship win in 1960 contributed to OU's team title under Hall of Fame head coach Tommy Evans. As a college athlete, Abel posted a 53-5-1 record for the Crimson and Cream.

During his 21-year tenure as Oklahoma's head coach, Abel guided the Sooners to one national championship (1974) and four runner-up finishes (1975, 1981, 1985 and 1986), and finished outside the top 10 only once. He coached 15 individual champions and 74 All-Americans, leading OU to three Big Eight Conference titles.

Abel was honored as National Coach of the Year in 1985 and Amateur Wrestling's Man of the Year in 1974.

Inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989, Abel became the fourth consecutive OU head coach to receive the honor. Although he secured 279 wins with the Sooners, his 29-year overall coaching career included over 350 dual meet victories.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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