Dale M. Evans

Dale M. Evans, a Wisconsin wrestling icon and successful manufacturing executive, has dedicated his life to the sport as a record-setting competitor, longtime coach, and key collaborator in advanced protective gear. As president of EVCO Plastics and co-founder/co-inventor of LDR Headgear, Evans combined his athletic expertise with business acumen to help pioneer concussion-reducing technology, ensuring safer experiences for wrestlers at all levels.

Early Life and Collegiate Wrestling Dominance

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Evans discovered wrestling early and quickly rose to prominence. At the University of Wisconsin-Stout (1970–1973), he became the first four-time WSUC (Wisconsin State University Conference) champion, compiling an outstanding record of 104–15. Twice named Most Outstanding Wrestler in the conference, Evans earned induction into the UW-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985 and was selected to the WIAC Wrestling All-Time Team in 2012. His achievements laid the foundation for a family legacy in wrestling, with his father Don and brother Steve also deeply involved in the sport.

Lifelong Commitment to Coaching and Community Leadership

After college, Evans balanced a thriving career in the family business—EVCO Plastics, where he became president in the mid-1980s—with an unwavering dedication to coaching. For over 38 years, he coached freestyle, Greco-Roman, high school, and middle school wrestling, mentoring countless athletes. He served as president of the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation and co-state chairman, promoting the sport's growth. In 2009, Evans, alongside his father Don and brother Steve, received the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Lifetime Service Award, recognizing their family's profound contributions to Wisconsin wrestling.

Innovation in Wrestling Headgear: Co-Founding LDR and Patented Safety Advancements

Evans' inventive role emerged from his deep understanding of wrestling's physical demands. Partnering with fellow Hall of Famer Larry Marchionda, he co-founded LDR Headgear LLC in the 1990s, leveraging his position at EVCO Plastics—a leading injection molding company—to manufacture cutting-edge protective equipment.

As co-inventor, Evans contributed to key patents, including:

• US10182607B2 (granted 2019): "Headgear Safety Apparatus," a lightweight, antimicrobial design using patented "ConTek" foam for superior impact absorption, extending protection to the temple, forehead, and cranium—tested as the most effective for concussion mitigation.

• Related applications like US20150150330A1 (published 2015), focusing on flexible, energy-absorbing structures for broader head coverage.

Evans' manufacturing expertise enabled high-quality production of LDR models like the XP-4 and "Soft Toughness" updates, making advanced safety accessible and affordable. His involvement stemmed from decades on the mat and sidelines, witnessing head injuries firsthand and seeking to evolve gear beyond traditional ear guards.

Legacy and Honors

Evans' honors include the Wisconsin Wrestling Hall of Fame induction, WIAC Hall of Fame (2022), and the family Lifetime Service Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. As a business leader, he grew EVCO Plastics into a global operation while sponsoring youth clubs and providing LDR gear to programs.Dale M. Evans' life—from conference champion to manufacturing innovator—embodies service to wrestling. His role in LDR Headgear not only honors his competitive roots but advances athlete safety, protecting the next generation in a sport he helped shape.