The Hawkeye Wrestling Club Announces $1 Million Gift; Establishes Endowment Fund
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Hawkeye Wrestling Club (HWC) will benefit from a bequest of more than $1 million from the estate of long-time Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling fan Herb Tyler, HWC Advisors Tom & Terry Brands announced Wednesday.
“Herb believed deeply in the importance of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club,” Terry Brands said. “He made this extraordinary gift from his steadfast conviction that the HWC provides valuable help for our athletes dating back to Gable’s teams in the 80’s.”
Mr. Tyler was born November 23, 1930 and died on May 31, 2013 of pancreatic cancer. He attended local schools through ninth grade and then — of his own free will — attended Culver Military Academy. Thereafter he attended Grinnell College and the University of Iowa. He left college and was drafted into the Army. He achieved the rank of Corporal.
Following his time in the Army he did some architectural design and later some light landscaping work. He built two homes in LeClaire, IA, and was one of the founding members of Rejuvenate Davenport, an organization which stimulated the revitalization of downtown Davenport in the late 1980s and 1990s. In addition, he was committed to historic preservation, including the renovation of the Bishop’s House Inn in Davenport, which is now part of St. Ambrose University.
Herb married Mary Ann Berger and they had three beautiful daughters. After Herb and Mary Ann divorced, he was most fortunate to find his loving partner, Nancy Chapman.
The money received on the eve of the HWC’s 50th anniversary and described by Tom Brands as “the largest monetary gift ever received by the HWC” will go toward the creation of a newly established endowment fund. “I am also happy to announce that, at the recommendation of the HWC’s Executive Director, Chad Beatty, the HWC Board of Directors has unanimously approved the creation and initial funding of the HWC’s ‘Herb Tyler 50-year Fund,’” Brands said. The newly-established fund will function as a board-designated endowment with the intent of providing a lasting source of income to the club for the next 50 years and beyond.
“Our fans have shown unprecedented excitement for the future of the HWC,” Beatty continued. “Our Inner
Circle members, who provide recurring monthly or annual donations, are vital to the present operations of the HWC. This new fund provides an avenue for our significant donors, several of whom have already stepped forward, to help ensure the viability and stability of the club’s future.”
Individuals and organizations interested in making a donation of $50,000 or more should contact Chad Beatty via email at: chad@hawkeyewrestlingclub.com
About the Hawkeye Wrestling Club
Since its inception in 1973, the focus of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club — a 501(c)(3) organization — has always been to provide the training, coaching, and resources necessary to help our athletes pursue their dreams of becoming World and Olympic Champions. The money raised through the HWC goes directly to benefit the athletes helping with living expenses, training, and traveling needs.
