Scientific Wrestling

Prehn, a member of the Wrestling Hall of Fame, was one of the early 20th Century "Big Names." He dedicated a good portion of his life to promoting Wrestling including acting as a professional wrestling coach for the Illini, successfully placing in top 10 matches such as the 1928 NCAA Collegiate Championship. As a G.I., he was a hand-to-hand instructor and won the 1918 Middle Weight Inter-Allied Games championship. He was Chairman of the Illinois Athletic Commission. Prehn was elected President of the National Boxing Association in 1928 which added wrestling to its responsibilities.<p> Possibly his most important contribution is his wrestling manual. It includes many techniques which are now illegal, such as arm-bars and neck-cranks.</p><p> Packed with more than 70 photographs, this manual, faithfully transcribed by Kirk Lawson, is one of the best "Scientific Wrestling" manuals of the early 20th Century and is an indispensible reference for modern wrestlers and historians alike.</p>