Paul Prehn (2021) - Hall of Fame - University of Illinois Athletics

Paul Prehn

Induction:
2021

Wrestling Coach • 1921-28

Paul Prehn led Illinois to seven Big Ten championships in his nine years as head coach and ending his career with a record of 42-5-0. He was ring commissioner for "The Long Count Fight" boxing match between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey at Soldier Field in 1927. In 1928, Prehn was elected as President of the National Boxing Association (now World Boxing Association). In 1925, he wrote “Scientific Methods of Wrestling” which is still in print today. In his later years, Prehn operated two restaurants on the UI campus (Prehn’s on Oregon and Prehn’s on Green). He died in 1973 at age of 80.