Gov. Armstrong presents Rough Rider Awards to Bismarck wrestling legends

Gov. Kelly Armstrong presented Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Awards Thursday to two of North Dakota’s most acclaimed wrestlers and coaches.

Terry and Troy Steiner, twin brothers born and raised in Bismarck, received the awards for their individual wrestling achievements and their work as coaches and ambassadors for the sport over the past 40 years, according to the Governor’s Office.

“Troy and Terry have carved a place for themselves in the pantheon of wrestling greatness,” Armstrong said during a ceremony at the Capitol. “As coaches and ambassadors, their impact and influence on the sport of wrestling cannot be measured. They have inspired countless men and women to pursue the sport of wrestling.”

The brothers competed for Bismarck Century High School with Troy Steiner winning three individual state titles across three different weight classes from 1986 to 1988. Terry Steiner won back-to-back state titles in 1987 and 1988 in two weight classes.

Upon graduation, the brothers attended the University of Iowa, where Troy Steiner was honored as a four-year All-American while Terry Steiner was awarded the same honor for three years. Each brother won an individual NCAA wrestling championship, Troy Steiner in 1992 and Terry in 1993, according to Armstrong’s office.

Both went on to be part of the U.S. National Team with Troy Steiner placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1992 and 1996.

“North Dakota didn’t teach us how to work hard, North Dakotans did,” said Troy Steiner during his acceptance speech to more than 300 attendees in Memorial Hall.

He said it was farmers, ranchers, teachers, coaches, and moms and dads raising families who taught them to show up, care for their neighbors and how to respond when things get hard.

“Eventually, those examples become part of you,” Troy Steiner said.

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After their days of competition concluded, both men went on to historic coaching careers, Armstrong’s office said.

Troy Steiner coached wrestling at multiple Division I schools: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State and Fresno State, and is the head coach of the Gopher Wrestling Club in Minneapolis. Terry Steiner became head coach of the women’s U.S. National Wrestling Team in 2002 and led the organization to become one of the fastest growing female sports in the country, the governor’s office said.

Troy Steiner said before his father died he told the brothers to “pay it forward.” During his acceptance speech, he announced the establishment of the Steiner Rough Rider Foundation.

“We want to help create those same kinds of opportunities for another generation of young North Dakotans,” Troy Steiner said. He added the mission will be to help under-resourced young people in the state “move forward through sport.”

Terry Steiner thanked his family and friends, but also the community that shaped himself and his brother.

“We are grateful for your confidence in us and for allowing us to join a group of North Dakotans whose accomplishments have brought pride and distinction to our great state,” Terry Steiner said. “No matter where our careers have taken us, North Dakota has always been home.”

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Armstrong said he didn’t believe anyone in the United States had done more for the growth of women’s wrestling across the country than Terry Steiner.

The Steiner brothers were the 51st and 52nd recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award since it was established in 1961. The award recognizes present and former North Dakotans who achieve national recognition in their fields.

“I would go to the mat every day, and twice on Sundays, to defend this selection for the Rough Rider Award,” Armstrong said. “Because without question, Terry and Troy have brought distinction and recognition to their home state, their country and indeed the world.”

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com.

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Courtesy of North Dakota Monitor