Daniel McGrath (2014) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Daniel McGrath

Induction:
2014
Class:
1972

1969-72
Three Weight Classes

Dan McGrath represents the sport of wrestling that has not been on the University of Akron campus as a varsity sport since 1981 and a sport that hasn’t had an inductee since 1995.

Thanks to Pete Guthrie, UA’s first All-American in wrestling, a 1982 Hall of Fame inductee, a member of HOF Selection Committee and McGrath’s coach his last two seasons, McGrath’s fame as one of the few All-Americans in the sport was kept alive.

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McGrath’s story is one of success. Despite three years of wrestling at Twinsburg High School where he earned a conference championship and induction into that school’s Hall of Fame years later, he was a “walk-on” at UA. Needless to say, he wrestled his way onto the team but, it was not without a fight.

While compiling a 6-3 record in the 167-lb. division as a freshman, McGrath suffered a broken nose, courtesy of an opponent’s elbow. As a sophomore, McGrath could only manage a record of four wins, 11 losses and three draws. However, he got renewed under his new coach Guthrie while wrestling at the 177 and 190 weight classes. He rebounded to compile a record of 10-2-3 to finish third in scoring with 42 points as a junior.

However, McGrath had his most success in the 177 class during his senior campaign. The Geneva, Ohio, native and tri-captain compiled a 15-2-3 record to lead the Zips with 61 points. That year McGrath captured the Midwest College Invitational 177-lb. Championship to earn a spot in the NCAA College Division Championship. He earned All-America honors by finishing sixth nationally. McGrath finished with a career record of 34 wins, 17 losses, and nine draws.

McGrath earned a bachelor’s degree in technology from Akron and master’s degrees in science and business administration from Florida Institute of Technology.