Hall of Fame
Steve Eden started a memorable athletic career at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, continued at Coe College, and has excelled in both business and athletics since graduating from Coe in 1977. Under Coach Barron Bremner, Coe won the Midwest Conference wrestling crown three of the four years Steve competed. Steve won the conference crown at 177 pounds and was named co-most valuable wrestler at the league meet. But, a gash in his eye just before the nationals dashed his hopes for a national title. After college, Eden became known for his boxing career. Over the next four years, he fought over 150 bouts, collecting ten state titles. He finished third in the national AAU Tournament in 1979, and second in the National Sports Festival that same year. Probably the highlight of his boxing career came in 1980 when he won the 178-pound national Golden Gloves title. Eden's path to the championship culminated with a unanimous decision over Bernard Benton of Toledo, Ohio, in the finals in front of over 8,000 fans at Shreveport, Louisiana. "Steve went out early...with a couple of left hooks,” said an ecstatic Maury Hachey, the Cedar Rapids Boxing Club manager. Eden was voted the outstanding boxer of the tournament. The United States did not compete in the 1980 Olympics; instead, the team participated in the World Cup in Finland and Steve was there. Eden fought five world professional champions. He was never knocked out and never suffered a broken nose. He was a thinking fighter with an ambidextrous style. He ended his career with an exhibition bout with Muhammad Ali in 1982. "He's good," said Ali..."I don't know if he ever thought about turning pro, but he could have done pretty good." He was named an outstanding amateur athlete by the Cedar Rapids Sports Club in 1981. Eden is currently a Senior Vice President with Byers and Happel. He ranks in the top one percent of realtors, city- and state-wide. Today we recognize Steve's athletic and career accomplishments as we designate him a Coe Hall of Famer.
