WATERLOO - West High School's "Evening With The Legends" last month opened Dan Gable's eyes.

The former Wahawk wrestler was on stage to be honored as one of the school's finest and to inspire the current student body at West.

He is the one who came out educated.

"I had not even been to Waterloo in a long time," said one of the most successful Americans ever in athletics.

"That kind of opened my eyes about a few events. I didn't even realize East Waterloo had not won any football games (for more than five years). I knew it was not the same as it as when I went to school, but that hit hard.

"I am not even an East grad, and that hurt."

Gable listened to the others. He was particularly focused on what West girls' basketball coach Tony Pappas said about the lack of success by Waterloo schools as a whole.

"When he spoke about it being at a low, it made me realize, wow, something needs to be done. When I heard about youth not being successful in sports, it bothered me. I feel like they need a catalyst, something to rally around."

Coincidentally, that's what he thinks the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum could do for the metro area.

Gable is not using that as some cheap sales pitch, either. That's not the way he operates.

"I don't know that wrestling is the biggest sport in Waterloo right now, but it needs something," said the 1972 Olympic champion.

"One thing I get fired up about is how to keep the energy and the excitement for the youth.

"If this museum could be one catalyst, something people rally around for the town, it could have a tremendous effect for the youth of the future. If you don't have good things for kids, you don't keep people around."

Gable said kids want to experience great things. He did, he said, when he was involved in the YMCA and as many youth sports programs as he could fit into his schedule while growing up here.

"It carried me to be one of the most successful wrestlers of all time. Look what it did for me. This has me fired up about Waterloo."

Gable has been an inspiration since he was an undefeated, three-time state champion at West. His accomplishments after that - two NCAA titles, the Olympic gold medal and then the most amazing run of collegiate coaching success ever recorded - have just added to the throngs of people who look up to him.

He communicates with thousands of people all over the world.

"Some of the best mail I get keeps me motivated when people tell me how I affected their life, even if they are not wrestlers.

"It (the museum) is a symbol of excellence."

There is no shortage of people wanting Gable's help, be it to raise money, draw a crowd, or use his name. He's pretty selective when it comes to getting involved.

"If the museum ends up there, you can't just expect people to show up," he said. "You've got to sell it. It has got to be good.

"The thing about using my name … if somebody puts my name on something, it has got to be the best. It has got to get accomplished what I think most people expect.

"If it can't do something great there, let's not put my name on it."

Gable wants his name on the museum, and it could only happen in Waterloo.

Waterloo has been remiss in not recognizing the best ambassador it has ever had. Nothing in this community carries the name of one of the most famous athletes/coaches in the world.

"It is a little, not nerve-racking, but if it goes that way, I want it to be a real success for youth," said Gable.

"I have a feeling I will make a lot more trips to Waterloo."

That's up to Waterloo. Wednesday's gathering at the Five Sullivan Brothers Center is designed to see if the support is there.

The museum is going to require financing.

But the city and the entire Cedar Valley have already reaped the benefits.

Now it is time to pay up.

Contact Kevin Evans at (319) 291-1469 or kevin.evans@wcfcourier.com