Mel Olson
Honored in 1998

Moses Lake , Washington

Mel Olson graduated from Davis High School in Yakima in 1946 and attended WSU where he completed his BA in 1950 and his masters in 1954. Mel spent more than 3 years in the Army where he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart.

Between 1958 and 1975 Mel was head coach at Chief Moses Jr. High compiling a record of 140 wins and 10 losses. He also coached Football until 1982 with equal success. During his career he coached over 20 young men who became eventual Washington State Wrestling Champions and numerous place winners. He has been with the Moses Lake program since 1955 and has worked with all of the ML coaches from Eric Beardsley to Ron Seibel. He started the Kids Wrestling program in the early 60's and served as a Wrestling Official for 10 years.

Mel has been a radio broadcaster for 36 years and any who have heard his broadcasts know him to be one of the greatest radio wrestling broadcasters in the nation. Mel was honored with the WSWCA Media Award in 1993 and received a similar award from the football coaches in 1988. He has served as a member of the WSWCA Media Award Committee since 1996 and was recognized by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Service to his Community in 1968. Mel has been a national Sailing Champion and chief judge of the western Regional Water Ski Tournament as well as a member of the National Ski Patrol for 28 years. Mel and his wife Vicki were married in 1949.

Nominated in 1998 by Darrel White, Zillah High School