Ollie Woods (2008) - Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame

Ollie Woods

Induction:
2008
Class:
1949

Head Coach - Wrestling (1959 to 1962)
Assistant Coach - Football (1958 to 1961)
Wrestling (1946 to 1949)
Football (1946 to 1948)
Track and Field (1946 to 1949)

Oliver "Ollie" Woods remains after more than 60 years as one of the finest athletes and coaches in CSU history. A native of Montrose, Colo., Woods attended his first year of college at Colorado Mesa University before WWII interrupted his collegiate career. After four years in the US Navy, Woods returned to college, but this time at Colorado A&M College. Woods immediately made an impact in football, track and especially wrestling when he arrived. In 1948, he was named to the all conference team in track, wrestling and football along with winning individual conference championships in track and wrestling. He was undefeated in wrestling in 1949 until an injury forced the end of his career, and he was a member of the 1949 Raisin Bowl football team.

After graduation, Woods received his master's degree from the University of Denver and coached various high school programs in Colorado. In 1958, Woods returned to Colorado State University as an assistant coach of football and head coach of wrestling. His 1961 wrestling team won the conference championship and finished 11th in the nation at the NCAA Tournament. Following changes at the CSU athletic department in 1961-62, Woods went on to Western State College where he put in a 26-year legendary career as football coach and golf coach. There he won the 1966 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football championship and also won six RMAC golf championships between 1976 and 1990. He was inducted into the Mountaineers Hall of Fame in 1998. Woods died on October 9, 2011 at the age of 88.

Other Accomplishments: