Posted: Jul 09, 2018
By: Director of Athletic Communication & Public Relations Kevin Ruple
BEREA, Ohio – Baldwin Wallace University Assistant Wrestling Coach Bill McGrain will receive the ultimate honor for someone involved in the sport of wrestling when he will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This is wrestling's equivalent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. or the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
McGrain will enter his 39th season of coaching wrestling in 2018-2019, including his seventh at BW. A year ago, he helped the Yellow Jackets win their third straight Ohio Athletic Conference championship, its first-ever NCAA Division III Regional title and place 15th at the Div. III National Tournament it hosted at Cleveland's Public Hall.
"This is a tremendous honor for Bill and his family, and it is so well-deserved," said BW Head Coach and 2018 Division III Central Region Coach of the Year Jamie Gibbs. "What Bill has done in and for the sport of wrestling is an incredible journey of accomplishment. We are very proud of Bill and to have Bill as a member of the BW Family."
As a head coach, McGrain compiled a 350-58-3 career record. The English and social studies teacher at Olmsted Falls High School served as its head wrestling coach for 27 years (1985-2012). Prior to his time at OFHS, he has served as the head wrestling coach at Waynedale High School from 1983-1985, an assistant coach at Buckeye High School in Medina in 1981-1982 and as a collegiate assistant coach at Miami of Ohio University in 1980-1981.
In addition to his 350 career wins, McGrain has coached eight individual state champions and is one of three coaches in Ohio wrestling history to coach a state champion in all three divisions. McGrain coached 15 state finalists, 49 state place winners, 80 individual state qualifiers, twelve Top-10 team state finishes and 73 Southwestern Conference (SWC) champions.
McGrain was elected to the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006, the Waynedale (Ohio) High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and was named the Ohio Division II Coach of the Year in 1997. He was selected as The Plain Dealer Coach-of-the- Year in 1999, the Greater Cleveland Coach-of-the-Year on three occasions and the SWC Coach-of-the-Year 13 times.
As a wrestler himself, McGrain was an NCAA qualifier at Ashland University and a member of the Junior National team. He was awarded the Ashland Iron Man Award on two occasions. McGrain also served as team captain for two seasons at Southwestern Michigan Community College and one season at Ashland.
He has earned a master of arts from Miami University of Ohio, a bachelor of science from Ashland and an associate degree from Southwestern Michigan College.
McGrain also is a member of the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association (OHSWCA) NEO District, Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (GCWCOA), National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), National High School Wrestling Coaches Association (NHSWCA) and the Greater Cleveland Officials Association (GCOA). He is an Ohio State certified wrestling official.
McGrain and his wife, Tracey, reside in Valley City and the couple have two children, Zach and Chaz.
Details on the induction ceremony will come at a later date.
McGrain was elected to the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006, the Waynedale (Ohio) High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and was named the Ohio Division II Coach of the Year in 1997. He was selected as The Plain Dealer Coach-of-the- Year in 1999, the Greater Cleveland Coach-of-the-Year on three occasions and the SWC Coach-of-the-Year 13 times.
As a wrestler himself, McGrain was an NCAA qualifier at Ashland University and a member of the Junior National team. He was awarded the Ashland Iron Man Award on two occasions. McGrain also served as team captain for two seasons at Southwestern Michigan Community College and one season at Ashland.
He has earned a master of arts from Miami University of Ohio, a bachelor of science from Ashland and an associate degree from Southwestern Michigan College.
McGrain also is a member of the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association (OHSWCA) NEO District, Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (GCWCOA), National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), National High School Wrestling Coaches Association (NHSWCA) and the Greater Cleveland Officials Association (GCOA). He is an Ohio State certified wrestling official.
McGrain and his wife, Tracey, reside in Valley City and the couple have two children, Zach and Chaz.
Details on the induction ceremony will come at a later date.