Hall of Fame
From 1978-2004, Al Baxter served as head wrestling coach at BVU. During his tenure, his teams won eight conference titles, finished in the top 10 of the nation 12 times, while he posted a career mark of 376-119-5. in his first season, the beavers went 2-13, but in just his second year, he turned things around to 15-1 and his teams finished with a winning record in each year following. Among his wrestlers were 37 Academic Scholar All-Americans, 71 All-Americans, and six national champions. He received the Lifetime Service Award to Wrestling and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Iowa chapter) in the fall of 2000. He was inducted into the NWCA Hall of Fame in 1999, was named Morningside College’s alumni coach of the Year in 1998, and was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992. in addition, Baxter was named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year five times and was named National Coach of the Year in 1990. He is a past president of the NCWA and a past president of the Iowa High School Wrestling and Officials Association. Baxter, who is now retired, resides in Chesapeake, Va. with his wife Vicki.
