Bill Olson – Byron, 2023 Lifetime Service Honoree

Bill Olson grew up in LeRoy, MN, the second of five siblings. Bill attributes much of his work ethic to watching his parents raise four boys and a girl. Bill played all sports growing up, lettering in football, wrestling, and track multiple times. Olson was a champion in the old District One and a State Qualifier in 1976. He continued his competitive career at Waldorf College and then Winona State. Bill had moderate success in college, but developed many great friendships with teammates, including Tim Sheils, NCAA Director of Officiating. Bill’s first interest in officiating started in 1976 when he enrolled in an officiating class. Olson became registered in both football and wrestling. His Waldorf Coach, Neil Boyd, was able to schedule him in junior varsity football and wrestling matches. Small pay but big learning! A keen interest was developed.
Olson has continued to be an active official for over 34 years, with 25 state tournaments. Bill currently serves as the Head Official for the Clash Wrestling Tournament. Olson has been on the Clash Board for 18 years and is the newly elected President. During the first week in August, Olson assists at the Clash Camp at Ironwood Springs near Stewartville, MN. Bill has also served on the MSHSL Officials Advisory Board.

Olson is a member of the Region One Hall of Fame and Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame. Bill was honored to receive the Official’s Award for Region One AA in 2010 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2011. He is a charter member of SMWOA and retains a board position and serves as the group’s treasurer. Olson has been an active NYWA official for over 20 years.
Bill takes great pride in his position with the Clash. He has had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Coaches and Officials throughout the country. Bill is very proud of his Clash Officials and strives to treat them well. They are some of the best! He calls them his “brothers with a whistle”.

Bill and his wife Bobbi are high school sweethearts who have three children – twins Brady and Breanna, and another daughter, Brittlyn. Bill is proud of his successful children and his four grandkids – Harper (4), Quinn (4), Asher (2), and Finn (2). They keep him young.
Bill is recently retired from a career as a Union painter and vinyl hanger, spending over 25 years in the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. While there, he often answered wrestling questions from fans of the sport, both employees and visitors.
Bill and Bobbi love to Grandparent. They are also avid Twins fans, attending games both in Fort Meyers and Minnesota, as well as Gopher football fans, holding season tickets. Bill and Bobbi love to fish and make an annual trip to Canada, along with going “Up North” for over 30 years now. They also enjoy biking on the local Minnesota trails. Bill and Bobbi reside in Byron, MN.

“Wrestling isn’t easy nor should it be, for the greatest gift this sport will ever give is who we become as a result of it” -Author Unknown