Legendary coach stops at EG Historical Museum

Bob Siddens began his claim to fame as a high school wrestler for Eagle Grove. Under the leadership of Art Parsons (Eagle Grove’s first inductee to the Iowa High School Wrestling hall of Fame), Siddens qualified for state tournament action all four years, twice finishing a 145 pound state runner-up.

After graduating in 1943, Siddens wrestled at Iowa State Teachers College where his team won an NCAA championship. He returned back to Eagle Grove upon completion of college in order to take over the helms of the wrestling program that gave him his humble beginnings. “I really loved it,” Siddens said reminiscing about those days.

But after only a year at EGHS, the superintendent of West Waterloo High called and offered him a wrestling coaching position.

“I had a lot of wondering whether I wanted to go or not,” Siddens admitted, but eventually decided to accept the challenge. That year, he coached West Waterloo to a team state championship.

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