Dan Drosopoulos

Class of 2013

Savanna | Morrison

Dan Drosopoulos began his wrestling career in the sixth grade in 1964, wrestling for IWCOA Hall of Famer Charley Anderson in Savanna (IL). He was selected team captain his eighth grade year while wrestling varsity all three years. He compiled a record of 17-2.

At Savanna High School, Drosopoulos was a four-year varsity starter for Coach Anderson from 1967 to ’71. He was an all Illowa conference selection all four years as well as District champ in 1971 and runner up the previous year. He captured the sectional title in 1970 and a third place in 1971. He was the first sophomore from Savanna to ever advance to the sectionals. Drosopoulos qualified for sectionals three times and qualified for the IHSA 1971 State Tournament as a 107-pound junior. He completed his high school career with a record of 75 – 40 -3.

Drosopoulos also lettered at Savanna in both football and track, receiving a total of eight varsity letters including wrestling. He was voted Most Team Spirit Award as a sophomore and as a junior and at graduation won the Savanna High School Award for Excellence in Three Sports in Four Years.

At Augustana College (IL), Drosopoulos wrestled for coaches Ron Schleckaway (one year) and Tim Dodge (three years). His first season Drosopoulos competed at 118 pounds, the rest of his collegiate career he was at 126 pounds and was a four time NCAA DII National Qualifier.

In one of the most prestigious small college conferences Drosopoulos was a College Conference of Illinois and Iowa champion as well as a two-time finalist and four time place winner. Selected An Outstanding College Athlete in America in 1975 by College Athletes of America, Drosopoulos compiled a 71-41-1-career record for the Aggies.

An international wrestler, Greco – Roman was Drosopoulos’ forte and he compiled a 75-43-1 record in both disciplines. Introduced to International wrestling as an eighth grader he qualified for the first Illinois State Greco – Roman tournament as a senior, finishing as the runner up. He also placed fifth that same year in freestyle.

Drosopoulos competed in seven Olympic Trials over four Olympiads, five in Greco – Roman and two in freestyle from 1972 to 1984. In personal competition Drosopoulos compiled a lifetime record of 273 – 137-6.

Dan began his teaching and coaching career at Morrison High School (IL) in 1976. Until he retired from coaching in 2007 Drosopoulos achieved much success. Coaching football as an assistant for 19 years he was the defensive coordinator of three conference championship teams and in 14 of those 19 years his teams competed in the IHSA State playoffs reaching the semifinals in 2006 and three quarterfinals.

Drosopoulos assumed the Morrison Head Wrestling coach position in 1978, retiring in 2007. The Mustangs won the first Three Rivers conference title in wrestling school history in 1984 under his direction along with six runner-ups and eight third place finishes. The 1984 team also placed sixth at the IHSA Class A Dual Team state tournament.

Under Drosopoulos direction he had 132 IHSA sectional qualifiers with 8 champions as well as 31 state qualifiers, 14 All Staters, six finalists and one state champion.

Drosopoulos helped create the Morrison Junior High wrestling team in 1978 and in 1980 they entered the Tri County Conference, which they still compete in to this day. Drosopoulos coached both the junior high team and the high school team for 23 years. Most years it was done for no pay. He also started the Morrison Stallions Youth Wrestling Club in 1993 and entered them into the IKWF. This club was also coached at the same time as the junior and senior high school teams and again for no pay, just the love of the sport.

Drosopoulos was also a volunteer to the Morrison Track and field teams for 15 years as a timer and official. He also coached Little League Baseball and coached the All Star teams from Morrison for three years from 1996 to 1999.

Selected to Who’s Who in America Coaching Drosopoulos is also in the Northwest Illinois Hall of Fame and was the Grand Marshall of the Byron and Oregon Sectional in both 2000 and 2007. In 2005 he was inducted into the Morrison Athletic Hall of Fame along with his 1984 wrestling team. In 2007 he was personally inducted into the Morrison Athletic Hall of Fame for all of his achievements as a coach.

In retirement Drosopoulos remains active in wrestling through hosting camps and clinics and assisting with practices.