The wrestling community is indeed mourning a great loss with the passing of Dave Rudrud, a cherished figure in USA Wrestling and a respected coach from Trempealeau, Wisconsin. At 74, Rudrud leaves behind an enduring legacy that touched countless lives in the sport. To honor his memory, the family has organized A Time of Remembrance on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., in the South Ballroom of the La Crosse Center. Visitation will begin earlier in the day, starting at 1:00 p.m.

The family’s request for this moment of reflection is both touching and unique: they have asked for no flowers, encouraging instead the planting of trees—a lasting tribute that mirrors Rudrud’s enduring influence and his connection to something larger than life. Though no formal memorials have been announced yet, the family has promised to share future plans with USA Wrestling when they become available. But who was Dave Rudrud? His name may not have been in every headline, but his impact was undeniable.

Who is Dave Rudrud?

Dave Rudrud was so much more than just a cornerstone in the world of wrestling; he was a force of nature, helping to shape wrestling from the grassroots all the way through to the national level. Rudrud was one of USA Wrestling’s most passionate volunteer leaders, serving on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and on many standing committees for years. He was as named USA Wrestling Kids Man of the Year in 1986 and USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 1987 for his contributions.

Rudrud’s coaching career at Holmen High School, spanning from 1978 to 2004, earned him a place in the Wisconsin Wrestling Hall of Fame and is remembered as one of the most outstanding coaching careers in Wisconsin and beyond. But that was just one of Rudrud’s many contributions. His national leadership roles included tireless work with USA Wrestling’s Kids program and unwavering support for state associations across the country.

Dave was an event director, official, and coach, and the events he helped organize were some of the largest on state, regional, and national stages. In fact, he played a significant role in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. But Dave was more than just wrestling.

Dave Rudrud beyond wrestling

Prior to retirement, Dave Rudrud left a magnificent legacy as an outstanding head coach in wrestling and boys and girls cross country and boys and girls golf for 56 combined seasons at Holmen High School. Rudurd graduated from La Crosse Logan in 1968 and UW-La Crosse in 1972 and started his coaching career in 1978 at Holmen, where he coached the wrestling program for more than two decades. In 1994 he took on boys and girls cross country, then added boys golf in 2002, with earlier coaching boys and girls golf in the 1980s.

When Dave was done coaching, Rudrud was still just as passionate about teaching social studies, planning to keep teaching that until 2005. Rudrud, who retired in 2004, reflected on his decision to walk away at the time, saying he felt it was the right moment to step down, but that he didn’t want to do so while he was burned out. He said it was time to “transition and get out” while still having fun.

Rudrud believed that success came from creating opportunities for others, employing a transparent, high-expectations approach with his athletes that consistently brought out their best. While his impact in the wrestling world was his most significant, his contributions extended far beyond the mat, leaving a lasting legacy in every sport he touched.