Along with singlets, shoes, and headgear, which can be purchased at the InterMat Store, why not consider giving them a book about their favorite sport they won't be able to put down ... or a DVD of a wrestling film they'll watch again and again.
Two years ago, InterMat put together a list of wrestling gift ideas for the holidays. Here's an updated list of some books and DVDs that have been released since that previous article.
Note: To find out how to order any of the items listed below, click on the photo or link included below. You can also check out the official website for more information.
Books
Non-Fiction
Bobby Douglas: Life and Legacy of an American Wrestling Legend by Craig Sesker. Sesker, communications manager for USA Wrestling, tells the story of Douglas, a trailblazer in U.S. wrestling as the first African-American state champ in Ohio, one of the first blacks to wrestle for a U.S. Olympic team (1964), and first to win gold at World Championships (1966). Douglas also served as head coach at Arizona State and Iowa State. Visit the official website www.bobbydouglasbook.com
by Joel Rippel. This biography -- written by long-time sportswriter at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune -- covers all aspects of Brock Edward Lesnar's life, from his early years in South Dakota through his college mat career at Bismarck State College and University of Minnesota, then the WWE, and the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Read the InterMat article about the book.
Comeback: A Wrestling Story of Triumph and Tragedy by Richard "Dickie" Bouzakis. Inspirational, real-life story about Bouzakis, an accomplished wrestler who, after his freshman year of college, survived a serious car accident that not only caused serious injury to his brain, but also put him in a coma for two months. Twenty-five years later, his life continues to be full of challenges ... but also achievements. Read the InterMat article about the book; visit the official website www.Acomebackstory.com
by Arno Niemand. Wrestling fans who love a Cinderella story will enjoy reading Niemand's well-written, well-researched book about the wrestling squad from tiny Cornell College of Iowa who grabbed the team title at the 1947 NCAAs, upsetting the major mat superpowers of the era. Read the InterMat article about the book; visit the official website www.dreamteamof47.com/blogFamily Ties: An American Wrestling Tradition produced by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Many wrestlers have come to the sport thanks to an older brother or sister, or father or uncle, who took to the mat first. This book documents 130 families in wrestling, with dozens of stories about these wrestling families, penned by nearly two dozen writers (including InterMat's Andrew Hipps, Brian Jerzak, and Mark Palmer). Read the InterMat article about the book; to order, contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame or call (405) 377-5243.
by Dan McCool. McCool, who covered wrestling for 30 years (including a long career at the Des Moines Register), tells fascinating, compelling stories of the wrestlers, coaches and teams who have competed at this annual event that is THE major mat event in a state obsessed with wrestling. Includes complete lists of Iowa high school state champs.
by Scott Glabb. In this true-life wrestling memoir that sounds more like a Hollywood movie, Glabb -- a young man from small-town Washington State -- is hired as wrestling coach at an inner-city high school near Los Angeles. Glabb tells how in time -- and with faith -- he comes to make a positive difference in the lives of his wrestlers. Read the InterMat article about the book.
Siddens! Win with Humility, Lose with Dignity -- But Don't Lose! by Don Huff and Mike Chapman. Biography of Bob Siddens, long-time coach at Waterloo West High School in Iowa who led his "lads" to eleven state team titles and 51 individual championships. One of Siddens' Wahawks was none other than Dan Gable. Read the InterMat article about the book.
by Matt Krumrie. How do you pick the perfect camp for your wrestler amid the myriad choices? Krumrie's book provides insight into selecting the right wrestling camp, sorting through all the jargon, and drawing on the expertise from top coaches and wrestlers. Read the InterMat article about the book and visit the official website www.wrestlingcampguide.com
by Richard White. Very much a labor of love, 70 years in the making, from a former wrestler who wanted wrestlers, coaches and fans to understand the history of "the oldest and greatest sport" and the famous individuals who have participated in the sport, from ancient times, to current celebrities and CEOs. Read the InterMat article about the book.
by Michael Bonora. An NCAA Division III champ for Rhode Island College, Bonora shares his journey through wrestling, from youth through college, providing personal insights into how a titlewinner trains, what goes on in his mind during a match, and how he deals with defeat, injuries, making weight and other challenges of the sport. Read the InterMat article about the book.
Fiction
by Alfred C. Martino. From the author of Pinned comes a novel about high school wrestler Mel Radford, who deals with tough practice sessions, concerns about weight, balancing athletics, academics and a social life, and living up to the expectations of teammates and coaches. The added challenge for Mel: she's the only girl on the team. Read the InterMat article about the book.
by H.L. Hertel. In this brand-new sequel to Hertel's gritty wrestling novel To Be The Best, readers follow the twists and turns in the lives of wrestling brothers Nick and Ron Castle, and their coach Sean McCallister, each dealing with rugged challenges and tough choices. Read the InterMat article about To Be The Best.
and FireHouse
by Dave Conifer. One author, two separate novels. In Throwback, a high school wrestler from North Carolina has problems back home, so he heads north to New Jersey where he creates a new identity for himself on (and off) the mat. In FireHouse, a student finds his distinctly separate lives as lead singer in a rock band and as a bench-warming wrestling team member suddenly crash into each other when he becomes the 171-pound starter. Read the InterMat article about the book.
Films
Independence: Wrestling With A Community. Documentary film that captures the year in the life of an Iowa high school wrestling team, the Mustangs of Independence High School, near Waterloo, with enough real-life dramatic elements to make it as entertaining as any Hollywood sports movie. Read the InterMat article about the movie, or, to purchase a DVD copy, visit the wrestling program's website www.indeewrestling.com
. WWE star John Cena plays a former high school and college wrestling champ who is estranged from his family. His younger brother struggles with his own amateur mat career as he tries to bring the family together. Also stars award-winning actors Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover.Pinned. Documentary that chronicles and contrasts the parallel lives of two Cleveland area high school wrestlers: Matt Curley of Lakewood High, which hasn't won a state title in a half-century ... and Lance Palmer of national powerhouse Lakewood St. Edward, who went on to Ohio State and is now competing in MMA. www.pinnedmovie.com
Takedowns & Falls
. This documentary follows the journey of wrestlers from Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, Pa. as they overcome injuries and other challenges in their quest for individual and team glory at the PIAA championships in Hershey. www.takedownsandfalls.com
. Critically acclaimed movie from director Thomas McCarthy starring Paul Giamatti as a businessman who moonlights as high school wrestling coach saddled with a losing team, until he meets up with a mat phenom (played by 2010 New Jersey high school wrestling champ Alex Shaffer. Want more gift ideas?
Check out Wrestling's Best for list of wrestling gift ideas, which includes books, movies, soundtracks, subscriptions and much more.
For even more great wrestling gift ideas -- including instructional books, conditioning books, historical works, novels, biographies, along with some DVDs -- visit the Amateur Wrestling Bookstore in association with Amazon.com at Tom Fortunato's "The Web's Best of Amateur Wrestling" website.
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