Inductees

It’s a story that writers for the big screen usually dream of: A freshman strolls through the University of Missouri campus figuring he’ll focus on academics and nothing else, and yet detours to the wrestling room at old Brewer Fieldhouse and becomes a star.

Ed Lampitt, of course, can’t help but offer a sheepish grin when telling the tale. Only, it’s non-fiction actually.

“I had pledged Alpha Tau Omega, and a friend of mine from St. Charles and I were walking by Rollins Field and he said, ‘Are you going to go out for wrestling?” Lampitt said. “And I said, ‘I never even thought about it.’”

Incredible. Had he kept on walking, imagine the story that never would have been: Lampitt emerged as one of Mizzou Wrestling’s bests in its early years and, later in life, hit the motivational speaking circuit and piloted aircraft for 40 years after – get this — overcoming paralysis.

Yet his athletic success speaks for itself, which is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to induct Lampitt with the Class of 2019.

At one point, he held Mizzou’s career wins record as well as the most for a sophomore. Additionally, Lampitt was the first Tiger ever to place at the Big Eight Conference Tournament, earning fourth in both 1966 and 1968. (He was injured as a junior.)

In 1968, Lampitt not only captained the team but led Mizzou (18-0-1) to the first undefeated season in any sport on campus. The team also earned a No. 19 national ranking.

“I was not the star,” Lampitt insisted, noting that The Maneater student paper swung by practice his sophomore season and asked coach Hap Whitney (MSHOF 2011) about notable wrestlers. Lampitt wasn’t mentioned in the season preview story at all.

Fortunately, Lampitt had the last laugh – and an unmatched work ethic. Ultimately, he was a four-time letterman. And the journey began by Lampitt shedding 48 pounds in order to wrestle at 137. The prior summer, he lifted 50-pound concrete cylinders about 300 times day, and then set the wins record as a sophomore.

Lampitt initially wrestled at Pekin High School in Illinois and enjoyed two undefeated seasons at St. Charles High School. He still credits Pekin coach Jack Stoudt for harnessing his anger. But his only college offer was from Knox College.

Lampitt graduated with honors in 1969 with a civil engineering degree (Chi Epsilon) and entered the Navy in 1969. He was in flight school but hearing loss forced him into the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corp. He eventually returned to Mizzou and then on to dental school at Missouri-Kansas City.

At age 32, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His first surgery lasted 14 hours. His second surgery lasted 12 hours, left him in a 24-hour coma, a week in ICU and a 30-day hospital stay. Initially, he was totally paralyzed, unable to sit speak or write.

Yet Lampitt rehabbed for 18 months and eventually trained through New York University’s program for disabled dentists. He practiced dentistry with only one arm in Piedmont, Missouri from 1981 to 2001 and stayed active in dentistry until 2011. (He has a corneal scar in his right eye and no feeling on the right side of his face, is deaf and has unilateral balance.)

Lampitt started a soccer program for youths, and flew aircraft for more than 40 years. He continued playing golf, took up an adaptive snow skiing program and hit the motivational speaking circuit.

To Lampitt, there was no other choice than to become active again for wife Katie and their children, Suzanne, Eddy and Kimberley.

He is a 1998 inductee of the MU Athletics Hall of Fame, and the 2002 St. Charles Alum of the Year. In 2003, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame awarded Lampitt its Medal of Courage, given to a wrestler who has overcome insurmountable obstacles. Mizzou Wrestling also has the Ed Lampitt Total Tiger Award, given to the wrestler who best exemplifies Mizzou wrestling on and off the mat.

Overall, there’s a reason he inspires. When trying to overcome paralysis, he got fed up once and said, “I can’t do this.’” His nurse wouldn’t let it slide.

“(The nurse) stooped down under my face and yelled at me, ‘I don’t ever want to hear you say can’t again, there are sick people here,’” Lampitt said. “As I looked around the room, it was full of paraplegics and quadriplegics, and many more. I’ve never used the word can’t in that context since then.”