Local wrestling club seeks support to host ‘A Night with Dan Gable’ April 26

JD Henrich, coach and founder of American Outlaws Wrestling, asked the Mitchell Sports and Events Authority on March 5 for help with a fundraising event, “A Night with Dan Gable,” scheduled for April 26 at TNT Inflatables. Henrich said the event would include a meet-and-greet, autographs and a supper, and that it is expected to bring participants and spectators from across the region.

Henrich said American Outlaws Wrestling, founded in October 2022, operates with no practice fees and relies on donations and fundraising. “We don't believe in charging to help kids, so there are no fees to come practice with us,” he said. He told the authority he purchased the club’s first mats and runs practice out of his shop in Dimock.

Henrich estimated the appearance fee to bring Dan Gable to the event at about $7,000. He described Gable’s credentials in the presentation: “Dan Gable was a wrestler and a coach, considered to be 1 of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Gable is a 2 time NCAA Division 1 National Champion, a World Gold Medalist, and an Olympic Gold Medalist.” Henrich said the event will draw attendees from around South Dakota and several other states; he listed participants and guests from Rapid City, Sisseton, Groton, Texas and neighboring states.

Organizers plan table and individual-seat sales. Henrich said the venue has 38 tables and 350 seats total; at the time of his presentation he reported 15 tables remained available, roughly 120 individual tickets left. He said some tables were purchased by groups from Rapid City, Sisseton and Groton, and that many out-of-town guests would rely on Mitchell for hotels because the host town lacks lodging.

Henrich said prior events promoted by the club drew regional crowds, including a youth dual tournament and the “Monster Brawl,” which he said brought competitors from 10 states and multiple overnight stays in Mitchell. He described the April event as a way to continue promoting wrestling in the state and to raise funds for the club’s equipment and travel needs.

The presentation did not include a formal request amount tied to a specific line item in the authority’s budget during the meeting record. No formal funding motion for this specific event appears in the meeting minutes captured in the transcript.

Henrich: “We don't believe in charging to help kids, so there are no fees to come practice with us.”

The authority did not record a final decision on Henrich’s application in the transcript; further review or a follow-up request may be required to place the item on a future agenda.