Here are my thoughts on my experience with Penn State wrestling: I learned that the Penn State wrestling experience wasn’t all about wins and losses, but more importantly about how the wrestling coaches treated their wrestlers.
I was on the Penn State wrestling team from 1959 to 1963. Although I was never a “starter,” I was made to feel an important part of the team. I doubt very much if I would have been a wrestling coach if it had not been for the influence of my coach, Charlie Speidel. He changed the direction of my career (I was in mechanical engineering) by suggesting that I would make a good teacher and coach and should consider physical education.
I remember Coach Speidel (“Doc”) stopping me on the mall one day between classes to show me a move. It was uplifting to me to know that he would care enough to take the time to do that. His rare wit and enthusiasm for wrestling transformed our state into a wrestling stronghold. “Doc” was instrumental in getting me my first and only coaching job at Nazareth High School. I stayed 34 years and was able to build a state and national power. Doc’s concern for his wrestlers impacted me and how I treated my wrestlers.
The Penn State experience has also enabled me to maintain contact with many of my teammates, especially those who pursued coaching or officiating. I’m happy to have the opportunity to acknowledge what Speidel, Dave Adams (my assistant coach), and Penn State wrestling have meant to me.
