Visitation will take place Wednesday, May 10 from 5-7 p.m. at Eastside Christian Church, 331 West Bennett Ave., Council Bluffs, Iowa. The funeral service will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Eastside Christian Church.
Beauford E. Haizlip was born in Loveland, Iowa in August 1933. He was a graduate of Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson High School, where, as a junior, he reached the Iowa state finals at 123 pounds. In the 1950s Haizlip wrestled at Iowa State before and after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, but an injury cut short his career on the mat. He graduated from Iowa State with a bachelor's degree, then earned a Master's from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
After graduating from ISU, Haizlip began his wrestling coaching at Colby, Kan. where he coached three state champions in two seasons. He then took the helm at Omaha South High School in 1960, replacing Mickey Sparano who had accepted the head coaching job at the Nebraska Cornhusker wrestling program.
Haizlip guided the Omaha South Packers to state titles in 1962, 1963, 1966 and 1967. His record in 31 seasons was 233-72-2 with 21 state champion wrestlers.
In addition to his coaching career, Haizlip served as president of the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association, conducted rules clinics for the Nebraska School Activities Association and served on the national high school rules committee.
"The early success of the NSWCA was largely due to Beau's contributions as a coach and mentor to our organization," said Norm Manstedt, the association's CEO.
Haizlip was named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association's Region 6 coach of the year in 1985. He was inducted into the NSWCA, Metro Wrestling Coaches and Officials, South High Packer Greats and Omaha Public Schools Athletic Halls of Fame.
When he received the Packer Greats honor, Haizlip said, "This honor is really a tribute to the many fine students and athletes I have had over the many years. I am especially proud of those who have gone on to be teachers, coaches, referees and in many ways followed in my footsteps. No one could ask for a better legacy than that."
Haizlip is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; a daughter, two sons, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
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