McGinness didn’t see himself as a prototypical Iowa wrestler, one of those physical, well-conditioned brawlers who would always go, go, go.
His collegiate career didn’t play out on the mat exactly as planned. McGinness was named Academic All-Big Ten and first-team Academic All-America by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. You can’t just wrestle, you have to get a degree.” “My father stressed that you are a student-athlete, not an athlete who happens to go to school. “One of the things that is often overlooked about the more successful wrestlers who have gone through the program is their success not only on the mat, but in the classroom,” McGinness said. McGinness earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and communication studies and added a law degree in 2001. He is also proud of what he accomplished in the classroom. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the success McGinness had as a wrestler. “It is an honor to be included on a long, long list of Hawkeye wrestling greats that I watched growing up: the Zaleskys, Barry Davis, Randy Lewis, people I idolized.”
“With Iowa wrestling, if you’re a two-time national champion it seems like you’re kind of normal, not that big of a deal,” McGinness said. He was a three-time All-American and two-time national champion, which is why he wondered if his hall of fame call would ever come. While competing for Iowa, McGinness compiled a 127-16 record with 31 falls. 31 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Tickets to the event, which is open to the public, can be purchased at /HOFtickets. McGinness is one of seven inductees into the 30th National Iowa Varsity Club Hall of Fame class Aug. “My family was extremely close to the Hawkeye wrestling program.” “My parents would have had to move out of town,” McGinness said. So, did he ever consider competing for anyone other than legendary head coach Dan Gable at the University of Iowa? At City High School, McGinness won 172 wrestling matches (without a loss) and four state championships. He was raised in Iowa City, Iowa, where his father was treasurer of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. IOWA CITY, Iowa - When Jeff McGinness says he was born to be a Hawkeye, believe him. Hawkeye Fan Shop - A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2018-19
ISAAC - Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.