FRITZ G. KNORR
1907 – 1972
Inducted – 1974

One of the more influential college wrestling coaches in the Midwest, Fritz Gustave Knorr posted a 142-115-4 dual record as the coach at Kansas State University during his 19-year tenure from 1952 to 1971. He was a member of NCAA wrestling rules committee from 1956-62 and chairman form 1960-61. Knorr helped adopt the takedown scoring system in wrestling, was president of American Wrestling Coaches Association and helped start the grade school state-wrestling tournament in 1964. As a teenager, Knorr earned 10 letters as an athlete at Savannah (Missouri) high School before attending Kansas State University. He earned three letters each in football and wrestling at Kansas State despite never wrestling before attending college. Knorr began his 40-year coaching career at Waterville (KS) High School (1932-37) and Kansas City Northwest Junior High (1937-42) before joining the Kansas State staff in 1942. He was the Wildcats’ head basketball coach (1944-46) assistant football coach (1944-46), and baseball coach (1949-50) before becoming the head wrestling coach in 1952. Born May 9, 1927 – St. Joseph, Missouri; Died September 9, 1972 – Savannah, MO. Graduated Savannah (MO) H.S., 1927; Kansas Sate University 1932.