Gable Museum Gets $30K from Check Into Cash CEO

ideamark · 11-04-2007, 02:40 PM

This was posted at TheMat.com forum...

Posters to that thread suggest that this money could have been better used to assist the revival of programs that have been eliminated (Oregon, Fresno State, Eastern Illinois, to name a few recent cuts)

To read the thread: http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/...414&forum_id=3

Original link to the article from the Des Moines Register:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/app...24/1003/SPORTS

Businessman donates $30,000 to Gable museum

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November 1, 2007
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The founder and CEO of Check Into Cash is donating $30,000 to the Dan Gable’s International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo.

A press release today indicated that Allan Jones of Check Into Cash is a former wrestler, friend of Gable and built the Jones Wrestling Center in his hometown of Cleveland, Tenn. — headquarters of the business.

Gable is one of the legends of the sport. He lost one match in his career at Iowa State, won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich without surrendering a point and built a dynasty as a coach at Iowa.

Schlottke · 11-04-2007, 04:57 PM

I'd say don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

While the intentions to revive a troubled program may be good, the museum is a very good place to start with in preventing the future slaughter of the sport. The more education the public can receive, the better.

ideamark · 11-04-2007, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Schlottke

I'd say don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

While the intentions to revive a troubled program may be good, the museum is a very good place to start with in preventing the future slaughter of the sport. The more education the public can receive, the better.

Very well put, Jacob.

The historian in me agrees completely. Facilities such as Mike Chapman's museum (named in honor of Dan Gable) and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in Stillwater are critically important not just in terms of preserving information on wrestling legends and the history of this great sport, but also sharing that legacy with today's and tomorrow's athletes and fans... which is vital to sustaining and growing the sport.

Besides, I don't think it's polite to question another person's gift. .-)

Mark

PS Just to be clear... I posted the story -- along with the link to TheMat forum -- merely as an FYI to members of this forum, not in judgment of the gift, or those who were questioning it.

ISU2008 · 11-04-2007, 05:58 PM

I went to the museum when it was in Newton and really enjoyed it, I will definitely have to get back soon. Maybe a portion of the gift could go to a display about the programs that have been dropped in the last 15-20 years and get the general fans knowledgeable about what's happening. As has been said, I'm not trying to tell them what to do with the money but if they're looking for a way to spend it, that might not be a bad way to go.

gg121and2 · 11-04-2007, 07:26 PM

First of all, we don't know that Mr. Jones hasn't contributed to Save Oregon Wrestling. It appears that he is a friend of the sport. If he has not, perhaps it would behoove the leaders of the Save Oregon movement to ask him for help.

I do fund raising as a part of my business and I've found over the last 25+ years that, generally, if you don't ask - you don't receive.

ideamark · 11-04-2007, 07:28 PM

ISU2008 (and others),

I visited the museum in January after it had relocated to downtown Waterloo. The new location is a good bit larger in terms of display space for amateur wrestling (while the pro rasslin' display area is about the same size as it was in Newton). There's a new wrestling room with showers/lockers, and a larger gift shop too.

Amateur wrestling fans: If you're in Iowa, it's worth the trip to see the Gable museum. (If you're going to the National Duals at the UNI-Dome this winter, you'll be right in the neighborhood... so make time to go.) Likewise, when you're in Oklahoma, make tracks to Stillwater to see the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Both facilities are somewhat "off the beaten track" but are worth the time and effort.

Mark

Schlottke · 11-04-2007, 08:12 PM

I figured that was the case.

Originally Posted by ideamark

PS Just to be clear... I posted the story -- along with the link to TheMat forum -- merely as an FYI to members of this forum, not in judgment of the gift, or those who were questioning it.

Gable Museum Gets $30K from Check Into Cash CEO

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