Honoring Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling Legend: Lee Kemp

Badger Notes is set to remember our legends in an 8-part summer series that will honor and highlight Wisconsin Badgers wrestling standouts from the past and showcase their accomplishments not only to the Badgers program – but also their contributions to the sport of wrestling.

Leroy (Lee) Kemp: 1975 – 1978

Lee Kemp came to Madison in the mid-1970s from a small town in eastern Ohio. By the time Kemp’s career was made in Madison — he left as the most decorated Wisconsin Badgers wrestler in program history. He was also Wisconsin’s first-ever four-time All-American.

As a true freshman, Kemp got the start at 150 pounds, finished second in the Big Ten tournament, and was a runner-up at the NCAA Championships via a referee split decision.

That finals loss for Kemp was the last one of his collegiate career. No hyperbole.

Prior to the 1976 season Kemp bumped up to 158LB and ran roughshod over the competition during his three year run of dominance and the only flaw on his legendary resume was a tie. He finished his illustrious career as a three-time NCAA Champion and amassed an overall record of 143-6-1. Kemp finished his collegiate career on a 96-match win streak and at 18 years old had a  decision win over Dan Gable.

Yes, that Dan Gable.

Lee Kemp was not only an all-time great on the folk-style scene – he made a name for himself in the world of freestyle wrestling. Lee Kemp was a three-time freestyle World Champion (1978, 1979, 1982), a two-time gold medalist in the Pan-Am games (1979, 1983), and finished his international career with a 53-8 record.

If not for a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics – Kemp certainly had a great shot at winning an Olympic gold medal. Thanks, Russia!

In 1990, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, enshrined into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991, and named “Wrestler of the Decade” for the 1970s by Amateur Wrestling News.

Following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kemp was inducted into the International Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was only the fifth American to ever receive such honor.

REPOST FROM PRODUCERS OF WRESTLED AWAY: The Lee Kemp Story~Quoted to be one of the greatest #wrestlers of all time, Lee Kemp shares his #story in 'Wrestled Away' https://t.co/hDHWqh7MBP to see trailer.#leekemp #wrestledAwaytheLeeKempStory #legends #winninggold #greatblackfathers pic.twitter.com/25WCLNwZG9

— Lee Kemp (@Lee_Kemp_) July 17, 2021

Stay tuned to Badger Notes for coverage of the Wisconsin Badgers wrestling program and follow us for this 8-part summer series to remember our legends.

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