Register Online    Dan Gable of Iowa City, Iowa, a 1972 Olympic Champion and legendary wrestling coach, became the first person to sign up as a USA Wrestling Partner member.    Gable is considered the most recognizable and respected amateur wrestler in American history. In every step of his career as an athlete, coach, administrator and leader, Dan Gable has exemplified excellence.    "It is an honor to be the first Partner member of USA Wrestling," said Gable. "Anytime you can be No. 1 in anything, it means that you have achieved something important. I am honored to be at the top of the list of a new program that helps wrestling."     Gable will have card number FP1, the first in a series of new partner membership cards being issued by USA Wrestling.     FP stands for Founding Partner. Anybody who signs up as a Partner by December 31, 2001 will be enrolled as a founding member of the new partner program.    USA Wrestling has created a new membership program designed to encourage individuals interested in amateur wrestling to stay active and involved, year after year.  Those who appreciate wrestling can now become card-carrying members of the National Governing Body for the sport.    Joining as a USA Wrestling Partner provides each person an opportunity to give something back to wrestling, while also keeping up to date with the sport.     The cost of a USA Wrestling Partner Membership is just $30. A portion of each membership dues goes directly to youth programs, and assists our national teams.    Among the benefits of joining as a Partner are:  * USA Wrestler newspaper subscription (6 issues)  * Official USA Wrestling partner gift  * USA Wrestling decal  * USA Wrestling membership card, entitling person to 5% discount off all USAW merchandise  * Pride in supporting the world's greatest sport    From the beginning of his career as a youth in Waterloo, Iowa, Dan Gable was a champion and an inspiration to others. During his prep career at Waterloo West High School, and his college career at Iowa State University, Gable compiled an amazing record of 182-1.    He went on to claim a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, captivating the nation with his dominant style and unbelievable work ethic.     Gable went on to become the most successful college coach of all time as the head coach for the Univ. of Iowa. His Iowa teams won 15 NCAA team titles during his 21-year career, including a record steak of nine in a row from 1978-86.     He served as head coach of the 1980, 1984 and 2000 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling teams. Gable also served as the head coach of five U.S. World teams (1977, 1978, 1979, 1983 and 1994), and co-head coach of the 1999 U.S. Freestyle World Team. Gable also coached 10 U.S. World Cup teams.    Gable now works as an assistant athletic director at the Univ. of Iowa, and is an active leader in the sport of wrestling. He has made a personal commitment to build and protect wrestling, making numerous public appearances on behalf of his sport.    Millions of people have been a part of wrestling, and have learned, grown and improved because of the sport. Wrestling made a major difference in their personal and professional lives, and remains an important part of their life journey.    This program is not for those who are currently active as athletes, coaches or officials with USA Wrestling. Those people will continue to sign up as members through their state associations.    Joining as a Partner is easy. You can become a USA Wrestling Partner by signing up online at TheMat.com, the official web page of the Amateur Wrestling Alliance (http://www.themat.com). An application has been printed in the July/August 2001 issue of USA Wrestler.  USA Wrestling will also distribute application forms to the general public at major wrestling events and activities across the nation.    You can now join Dan Gable, and be part of a growing segment of American society that has made a personal commitment to the sport of wrestling.     "America needs wrestling! Wrestling is a sport that goes back to the ancient Olympic Games, and it's still in the Olympic Games. We want to continue to see it there, and in its entirety, " said Gable.    "Wrestling gives kids the opportunity to develop character and work ethic. I suspect if you are reading this, wrestling gave you that opportunity. Stay in touch with the sport that gave so much to you - join USA Wrestling," he said.    Become a USA Wrestling Partner