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Legendary Phoenix wrestling coach Mondale dies By Tim Trower Posted May 4, 2018 at 1:28 PM Updated May 4, 2018 at 1:28 PM Harry Mondale started the Phoenix High wrestling program in 1969 and coached it to seven state championships and seven state runner-up finishes over 39 years. ▲ Harry Mondale started the Phoenix High wrestling program in 1969 and coached it to seven state championships and seven state runner-up finishes over 39 years. ▲ --> Legendary former Phoenix High School wrestling coach Harry Mondale, who launched the program and led the Pirates to seven state championships and seven state runner-up finishes during a lengthy career, has died. Mondale, 86, also played in the 1958 Rose Bowl for the University of Oregon and served as Phoenix's football head coach from 1986-91. He was a line coach for 17 years prior to that, helping the Pirates to 1979 and '85 state championships. Details of his passing weren't immediately known. Condolence messages to the family and remembrances of him appear on Facebook. First-year Phoenix athletic director Dave Ehrhardt characterized Mondale as a caring, welcoming ambassador for the school even in the years since he left his coaching and teaching positions. "Phoenix was a very important school to him. He gave to it throughout his career and beyond. He had a presence," said Ehrhardt. Pirates wrestling coach Jon Gay, who completed his first season this past winter, had already planned an inaugural tournament for next season that would be named in Mondale's honor. Mondale would occasionally watch wrestling practice and "enjoyed being around kids and at meets and matches," said Ehrhardt. In a 2007 Mail Tribune story announcing Mondale's retirement from coaching after 39 years, he was characterized as a man with a stern temperament who shouted, cheered and cajoled his teams to 21 conference crowns in addition to success at the state tournament. He started the wrestling program in 1969 and later kick-started a community effort to build a state-of-the-art practice facility. The 4,000 square foot wrestling room was completed in 1997. "He's the reason we have a pretty nice wrestling room," said Ehrhardt. This story will be updated. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 541-776-4479 or [email protected] Most Popular Legendary Phoenix wrestling coach Mondale dies May 4 at 1:28 PM Ashland teacher to appear on 'Jeopardy!' May 2 at 5:36 PM Spring Gold: Tips on finding morel mushrooms from people who know Apr 29 at 2:00 AM RV chase ends behind Mail Tribune with 1 arrest, child safe May 3 at 7:01 AM Asante wins Level II trauma status Apr 30 at 2:01 AM UPDATED: Man found dead outside Medford antique store identified May 2 at 8:04 AM Guest Opinion: Get ready for your 'pack a day' of summer smoke Apr 29 at 2:01 AM Justin Dan Rollins May 1 at 2:00 AM Shady Cove man accused in second marijuana theft case Apr 30 at 3:56 PM Review: Quadruple-talented actors carry OCT's 'Once' May 1 at 5:52 PM Medford woman accused of pot scissors attack May 4 at 4:57 PM Community mourns loss of legendary Phoenix coach Mondale May 4 at 9:13 PM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501