March 19, 2006

ATHENS, Ohio - Fred Schleicher passed away at the age of 85 on Friday, March 17, 2006, in his Athens, Ohio, home. Schleicher was a three-sport standout for Ohio University in the early 1940s and coached the Bobcat wrestling program from 1949 to 1968.

A native of Cleveland, Schleicher played tackle on the 1941 and 1942 Ohio football teams that went a combined 10-5-1 under legendary coach Don Peden. He also earned All-Ohio accolades in the discus and lost just four matches during his collegiate wrestling career.

In 1949, Schleicher became just the second head coach in the history of the Bobcat wrestling program when he succeeded Thor Olson - the so-called "Grand-daddy of Collegiate Wrestling" - who founded the Ohio wrestling team in 1919.

Under Schleicher, the Bobcats claimed the Mid-American Conference wrestling titles in three consecutive years from 1955 to 1957. Led by national champion Harry Houska, Ohio tied for ninth at the 1964 NCAA meet.

When Schleicher retired in 1968, he had coached one national champion, two All-Americans (Houska in 1963 and 1964 and Dave Unik in 1968) and 21 conference champions during his 18-year coaching career.

A memorial service is being planned by his family at the Athens Country Club on Sunday, March 26, from 4-6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to the Fred Schleicher Scholarship Fund through The Ohio University Foundation. Donations can be made online by clicking here (enter "Fred Schleicher Scholarship Fund" in the "Other" window under Gift Amount/Designation). For more details, please call 1-800-592-FUND (3863).