Da Crusher has a home: Location chosen in South Milwaukee for hometown wrestler statue
Well how ‘bout dat?
The crowdfunded bronze statue for South Milwaukee native and professional wrestler Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski will be located near the city's train station near 11th and Milwaukee avenues — specifically toward the southern end of the station.
The common council unanimously approved the location Oct. 16.
City Attorney Chris Smith, the organizer of the project, said the southern portion of the parking lot will be redeveloped by an outside architectural firm to create a “park-like space” featuring the statue on a small pedestal.
“He’ll be accessible,” Smith said, explaining the reasoning behind the smaller pedestal. A local landscaping company and local bricklayers will work on the project, he added.
Mayor Erik Brooks said the most asked question of the year was where "Da Crusher" statue would be going.
“It’s a really, really fun way to celebrate our most famous son,” he said.
There were two other locations considered nearby, according to Brooks, but he said this space was chosen due to it having plenty of space and parking. Brooks hinted the space could be used for “Crusher-related events” down the line.
Statue design finalized
In addition to the location, the statue pose was recently given the green light to be scaled to life-size, Smith said. Numerous miniatures were built by Milwaukee native artist Thomas Holleran, working at local foundry Vanguard Sculpture Services.
RELATED:South Milwaukee's crowdfunded Crusher statue has a local artist and foundry signed on to create it
Smith said Lisowski’s daughters gave a lot of input into the final design. The statue will first be built with a foam covered in clay and then the detail will be added. The statue is on schedule to be completed and unveiled by June 2019.
When asked about the finalized pose, Smith would only say it’s “appropriate for him (Lisowski).”
What’s next?
The next step is the completion of architectural plans for the space, which will be presented to the common council. Smith said it’s likely these plans will be completed in the next 30 to 45 days.
A GoFundMe page was started in December 2017 to fund a life-size bronze statue of “Da Crusher” to be displayed in his hometown of South Milwaukee. At the end of April, the $40,000 goal was reached.
Smith said while the money required to construct the statue was raised, anyone who still wishes to contribute can buy T-shirts on the official project website, www.dacrusher.org. Money raised will go to pay for the site plan design, the unveiling ceremony, and other miscellaneous expenses related to the project.
The Crusher started his professional wrestling career in 1949 and wrestled professionally for over 40 years. During his career, Lisowski earned a number of championships, including winning the American Wrestling Association (AWA) Heavyweight Championship three times and the AWA Tag Team Championship five times with Dick the Bruiser. He became a local celebrity when UHF television stations broadcasts his matches.
Lisowski died of a brain tumor in 2005.
