Dan Bly will go into Hall of Fame

Date:

by Oran Sorenson

Dan Bly
Dan Bly

            This coming Friday evening at the T Denny, Garretson’s Dan Bly will be officially inducted into the South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  This honor, first created in 1988, is bestowed upon athletes, coaches, or anyone who has made a significant contribution to the sport that bears the name of this organization.  “Dan Bly is certainly even overqualified for this honor having met the test in all three categories.”   Bly was a three-time state finalist.  As a sophomore in 1975 Dan was state champion at 98 lbs., while teammates Wade Davis and Mike Carnicle were also state champion at 126 and HWT respectively.  The Blue Dragons were state runners-up to Webster that year under legendary coach Al Bowar.  Also placing were Mike Rinken 2nd and Sam Brandt 4th.

            As a junior Dan was second at weight class 105, and won the gold again his senior year at 112 lbs.  Something very special in 1977 was Dan’s younger brother Scott was also in the finals at 98 taking home the silver.  Scott would be in the finals twice during his career. 

When asked what was one of the most special things about wrestling in those years, Bly said, “The support from family, friends, and community was awesome!”  Dan and Scott’s parents Loren and Cas were among those early year parents and fans who were always there with undying support you could feel and hear when you were on the mat.  As was the case in the Bly family with younger sister Lisa, very often the daughters in wrestling families would be statisticians or cheerleaders.

GHS Wrestling yearbook photo
Bly, top middle, during his wrestling career at Garretson High School.

            Dan would go on to wrestle at SDSU and would later serve many years as an assistant coach to younger Blue Dragons while also fulfilling his full-time duties as a mail carrier in Sioux Falls.  Dan would also serve as an assistant coach to the Dell Rapids Quarriers when asked by friends in that town to help promote their program.  Still today Dan can be spotted in the crowd at a high school tournament or in the practice room with the Garretson youth program. 

“Still two other factors make Dan an excellent representative into the Hall of Fame.  First, Dan was a self-made athlete admittedly born with a few handicaps that he overcame lifting weights and using his ‘grippers’ to improve his strength.  That and his never-ending hard work made him even more special in the sport of wrestling.  Second, Dan does not just support wrestling.  He believes that we all should support all of our kids in whatever avenues they take and has been spotted in the crowd at all other Garretson athletic events as well.  Congratulations Dan Bly!”

Share post:

spot_img

Related articles

Garretson K-12 Wrestling Camp

            The Garretson Youth Wrestling program will again be hosting a Wrestling Camp July 19-20. This year’s wrestling...

GHS Wrestling Wall of Fame Arrives

by Oran Sorenson A project that was started approximately three years ago finally came to fruition this last Friday...

Kooistra inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame!

by Carrie Moritz, Gazette             His football games had a nearly perfect winning streak for 30 years. His record...

Hall of Fame: South Dakota’s ‘culture of excellence’ showcased in 2023 class

Abbey Stegenga South Dakota News Watch A country music star renowned for giving back and a psychologist at the forefront...

Log In

Latest articles

Pasque Medical Massage opens next week

by Carrie Moritz, Gazette             A new business is coming to town, thanks to entrepreneur Allison Neukirchen. She will...

Mother of expelled student follow up phone interview

by Carrie Moritz and Garrick Moritz, Gazette             In a follow-up call to the Gazette, the mother of expelled...

Michelle Pliska keeps her license, despite reprimand

by Carrie Moritz and Garrick Moritz, Gazette             A former Garretson school counselor was publicly reprimanded by the SD...

Ethanol cooperative kicks in another $400,000 to support carbon pipeline ballot question

By: Joshua Haiar, SD Searchlight             A cooperative that owns four ethanol plants has made a second $400,000 contribution to...

Businesses and interest groups drive spending against tax repeal measure

Proponent group’s finances are intermixed with abortion-rights campaign By: Joshua Haiar, SD Searchlight             Twenty-five South Dakota companies and organizations have...

Dragons win final home game

            In their final home game of the regular season this past Monday, the Garretson Lady Dragon volleyball...
s2Member®