Arnold PlazaCompeting in four consecutive Big Ten championships, Plaza claimed a pair of 114.5-pound titles in 1948 and 1949, then two more at 121 pounds in 1947 and 1950. His individual title-winning success helped propel the wrestling program at the West Lafayette, Indiana-based school to three straight Big Ten team titles from 1948 to 1950.
Plaza qualified for the NCAA Championships each of his four seasons at Purdue and remains the only grappler in program history to advance to the title match three times. He became the Boilermakers' first-ever national champion, winning the 114.5-pound crown as a sophomore in 1948. The following year, Plaza found himself winning his second title, this time at 121 pounds.
As a senior, Plaza made it to the finals for a third time ... but came up one point shy of yet another NCAA title, suffering a 7-6 loss to Tony Gizoni of Waynesburg in the 121-pound championship match at the 1950 NCAAs. Despite that loss, Plaza's performance at that Nationals helped the Boilermakers finish as the national runner-up in the team standings, which is the program's highest-ever finish.
After graduating from Purdue, Plaza served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952.
Arnold Jesse Plaza was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming but grew up in Chicago. He later moved to El Paso, Texas in 1970 and spent nearly 40 years living in the La Union community. "He was well known for his big heart and willingness to help his neighbors and anyone who needed a hand," according to his obituary in the El Paso Times. "He was instrumental in leading an initiative to bring public water lines to the La Union community. A devoted Catholic, Arnold was active at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church where he served as choir director for over 20 years. He was a teacher for 35 years, 17 in Chicago and 18 in El Paso. Students had great respect for "Coach Plaza," a firm but engaging teacher with an endearing sense of humor. Arnold had a passion for the outdoors and traveled throughout the Southwest sharing his love for camping, hiking and bonfires with his large family."
In 1994, Plaza was inducted into the inaugural class of the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in alongside legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese, among others. Plaza was also selected for the Helms Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Arnold Plaza is survived by his wife of 39 years, Irene Plaza; his children Marc Plaza, Melissa Ryan, Andrea Plaza, Marisusan Plaza, and Arnold Anthony Plaza; his step children, Ruben, Richard, Martin, Robert, Freddy and Ray Labrado and Trinidad Garcia; 25 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their respective families.
Plaza would have been at the vanguard of Latino collegiate wrestlers in the U.S., launching his collegiate wrestling career at Purdue just as Rometo "Rummy" Macias of University of Iowa and Joseph Garcia of University of Illinois were completing their mat careers, and nearly a decade before Dick Delgado won two NCAA titles for the Oklahoma Sooners.
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