Dave Anderson
Class of 2000
Palos Height (Stagg)
Dave began his wrestling career at Scanlon Playground in Chicago in 1963. He won the City of Chicago playground title at 84 lb. The following year he entered Fenger High School in Chicago, and qualified for the IHSA State Tournament three times.
Following his graduation from Fenger High School, he attended Augustana College to major in Geology. He wrestled for the Viking from 1967-1971.
After graduation from Augustana, he began coaching at Wilmington High School. He coached the freshman team for the 1973-1974 seasons. In 1975, he moved to Stagg High School in Palos Hills as the head wrestling coach and science teacher.
During the period from 1975-2000, he coached 62 individual conference champions, 36 Regional Champions, 39 State Qualifiers, 18 Sectional Champions, 17 IHSA State Place winners and 6 individual State Champions. His teams have won 6 Conference titles, 1 IHSA Regional, 1 Sectional and the IHSA Dual Team State Championship in 1984. Through the 2000 season, Dave’s teams have won 279 dual meets.
In 1984, was selected as the IWCOA Class AA Coach of the Year and the SICA Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Dave has twice been selected as President of the SICA Wrestling Coaches Association and twice been named its Vice-President. He has served as the organizations Awards Chairman since 1982.
Dave has been active with Illinois Wrestling Federation and is also the founder of the Southsider Freestyle Wrestling Club.