Iowa has produced a long line of athletes who reached the top of their sports, from baseball and football to Olympic wrestling and gymnastics. Here are some of the state's most notable.
Bob Feller, Baseball Hall of Famer
Bob Feller was born on a farm near Van Meter in 1918 and reached the major leagues with the Cleveland Indians as a teenager. He was one of the hardest throwers of his era, an eight-time All-Star, and a Hall of Famer. He also served in the Navy during World War II.
Nile Kinnick, Heisman Winner
Nile Kinnick, born in Adel, won the Heisman Trophy as a University of Iowa football player in 1939. He died in a Navy training flight in 1943. The University of Iowa named its football stadium Kinnick Stadium in his honor.
Dan Gable, Wrestling
Dan Gable, of Waterloo, won an Olympic gold medal in wrestling at the 1972 Munich Games without giving up a single point. As head coach at the University of Iowa, he led the Hawkeyes to 15 NCAA team titles, building one of the most dominant programs in college sports.
Olympic and Modern Stars
Gymnast Shawn Johnson, of West Des Moines, won a gold and three silvers at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Golfer Zach Johnson, from Cedar Rapids, won the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship. Track and bobsled athlete Lolo Jones, from Des Moines, competed at both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Jack Trice, a Pioneer
Jack Trice was the first Black athlete at Iowa State. He died from injuries suffered in a game in 1923. Iowa State later named its football stadium Jack Trice Stadium, the only stadium in major college football named for a Black athlete.
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