Lee Kemp, known as one of the greatest wrestlers in United States history, was a three-time Gold Medalist in the World Championships, a four-time Gold Medalist in the World Cup of Wrestling, a two-time Gold Medalist in the Pan American Games, a seven-time national champion, and was named the United States Wrestling Federation “Man of the Year” in 1978. He was inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989.
28 years after the 1980 Boycott where Lee was a favorite to win the Gold he got a chance to fulfill Olympic dreams by being selected to coach the 2008 Olympic Wrestling Team.
Lee Kemp was among seven wrestling legends inducted into United World Wrestling (UWW) International Wrestling Hall of Fame – one of only six Americans inducted to date – in a ceremony during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. He has been featured three times in Sports Illustrated Magazine (February 1977, April 1982, May 1982). Life Magazine featured Kemp in their “1984 Olympic Preview” issue along with Michael Jordan, Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses and Greg Louganis.
Lee Kemp was born and spent his early youth in Cleveland, Ohio and later moved to Chardon, a farming community 30 miles northeast of Cleveland, where he was a 2-time Ohio state champion finishing his junior and senior years with an undefeated record of 55-0-0, with 24 pins.
Kemp attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a full athletic scholarship winning three NCAA titles at 158 pounds and placing 2nd as a true freshman losing on a split referee’s decision in overtime. After his freshman year Lee Kemp didn’t lose another collegiate bout posting 108 victories and one draw against collegiate competition that included a win over the legendary Dan Gable. Kemp earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Wisconsin in 1979, and an M.B.A. in 1983. Kemp was inducted into University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
