Coach Phil Bode is co-founder and director of the All Star Wrestling Club. This year, 2024, marks the 60th year for Coach Bode on the mat either as a wrestler or coach.

 

Coach Bode began wrestling as an 8th grader in 1964 at Algona Junior High School in Algona, Iowa. After working hard for two years, he landed a spot on the Algona varsity team as a junior. Coach Bode finished his high school career in 1969 as team captain, most valuable wrestler and state runner-up for the Iowa state champion Algona High School Bulldogs.

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Recruited to Louisiana State University by National Wrestling Hall of Famer, Dale Ketelsen, Coach Bode made the Southeastern Conference Championship match an incredible four years in a row, winning championships as a sophomore at 167 pounds in 1971 and as a junior at 150 pounds in 1972. Coach Bode also finished second in the SEC as a freshman in 1970 in the 158 pound weight class and as a senior in 1973 at 150 pounds. Coach Bode finished his career as captain of the LSU wrestling team in 1973 and was also two-time NCAA Division I qualifier. After graduation in 1973, he was promoted to graduate assistant coach for the Tigers in 1973-74.

 

Following his coaching stint at LSU, Coach Bode either coached at, helped grow or even launched programs at ten high schools in the Baton Rouge metro area. High school programs initiated by Coach Bode include Redemptorist, Brusly, St. Amant, and Episcopal. Programs developed through Coach Bode's help include Baker, Zachary, East Ascension, Dutchtown, Live Oak, and Walker.

 

In 2000, Coach Bode co-founded the Ascension Wrestling Club which soon became one of the largest clubs in the state of Louisiana. The following year, Coach Bode was named the Louisiana USA Wrestling Man of the Year. In the spring of 2012, Coach Bode co-founded the All Star Wrestling Club.

In the twelve years at the helm of All Star Wrestling, Coach Bode has helped train numerous wrestlers who went on to be winners at the local level and state level. He has also coached wrestlers who have competed at regional and national competitions, where some club members have become champions and even been named All-Americans. Coach Bode has also coached multiple wrestlers who have continued to wrestle at the university level as well. With Coach Bode as the director of All Star Wrestling, any wrestler who comes through the door will have the opportunity to work out and learn from a living legend.