Waynesburg grad Stephenson HOF bound in Ohio
It is safe to say Waynesburg native John Stephenson revolutionized the Cadiz High School wrestling program in Ohio.
In fact, Stephenson无毛视频檚 influence on the program was so strong that the Harrison Central Multipurpose Building was named the 无毛视频淛ohn W. Stephenson Center无毛视频� in 2008. The gymnasium serves Harrison Central Junior/Senior High School, which was formed in 1999 from the consolidation of three schools, including Cadiz.
Stephenson无毛视频檚 contributions to the sport in the Buckeye State will be formally recognized at the highest level on Oct. 15, as he will be enshrined in the Ohio Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
无毛视频淭his is an award that our kids earned,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淵ou need dedicated athletes and parents, and a community that supports you. It is an honor to have the gymnasium in my name, but the funny thing about it is, the school by the gym was torn down a few years ago, but the gymnasium is still there.无毛视频�
Stephenson无毛视频檚 start in wrestling came in the youth program that his father and three uncles started.
无毛视频淭hey started the youth program in Waynesburg and held the Junior Olympics at Waynesburg College,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淚 graduated in 1969 from Waynesburg High School, which was the last class out of the old school. We wrestled our matches on Friday and Saturday nights, and the gymnasium was packed. I无毛视频檓 glad that the sport is still popular at Waynesburg and continues to produce top wrestlers.无毛视频�
Stephenson wrestled under coach Ernie Closser and credits the discipline and structure that he learned from Closser in helping him as a coach and administrator.
无毛视频淓rnie Closser was the head coach and Joe Ayersman was the assistant, and Ernie was a pretty tough coach, but that helped prepare me for my time as a coach and administrator,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淚t is really about understanding kids and parents.无毛视频�
Stephenson attended Fairmont State College and was a four-year member of the varsity wrestling team. He earned NAIA All-America honors as a freshman. Stephenson graduated in 1973 from Fairmont State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial arts and physical education. He received his master无毛视频檚 degree in administration in elementary and secondary education as well as an assistant superintendent certification from the University of Dayton at Franciscan University.
The former Raider almost ended up at a different college, as he had his eyes on Robert Morris University (then Robert Morris Junior College) and becoming an accountant, but after discussing his college options with guidance counselor Bucky Murdock, who was also the wrestling coach at Waynesburg University (then College), Stephenson decided to head to Fairmont State.
Stephenson wrestled for three years under Bill Kerr in college before Sam Church took over when Stephenson was a senior. Church无毛视频檚 grandson, Mac Church, graduated in June from Waynesburg after winning two state titles, a second-place finish, and a bronze medal in four years.
无毛视频淚 came back home to watch a Waynesburg match and saw Mac wrestle and told him that his grandfather would be proud of him,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淯nfortunately, Sam passed away not long after Mac was born so he never got to see him wrestle, but after wrestling for Sam, I know he would be proud of the wrestler and person Mac is.无毛视频�
Stephenson was hired as a teacher and wrestling coach at the Harrison Hills City School District in Cadiz, the same year he graduated from Fairmont State. He was placed at Cadiz High School, but unlike his alma mater, the school he was ready to coach had just started its program.
无毛视频淲e had a lot of people help to turn it into something special,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淲e started a youth program and won the state championship in 1987.无毛视频�
Cadiz had a record of 142-18-2 during Stephenson无毛视频檚 tenure from 1973-74 until his final season in 1988. He was named the Ohio Division III Coach of the Year in 1987.
During Stephenson无毛视频檚 tenure, Cadiz won 12 Ohio Valley Athletic Conference dual meet titles, the 1981 OVAC tournament championship, 12 OVAC Class 2A tournament titles, eight section championships, seven district titles and several top-10 finishes in the OVAC and Ohio state tournament.
Stephenson coached two state individual championships, 29 state placewinners and 78 state qualifiers.
无毛视频淚f I had to do it all over again, I probably would have coached a little longer,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淚 started to pursue a career in administration, so I still followed the sport. I was an assistant principal and a principal and had to be at all the events.无毛视频�
Stephenson retired in 2007 and enjoys his watching his grandchildren compete in athletics.
无毛视频淭wo of my grandchildren are wrestlers, and they are pretty good,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淲e still put a lot of miles on traveling to events, but now it无毛视频檚 for the grandchildren. I used to go because I had to as a coach or administrator, but now I get to relax and be a grandfather.无毛视频�
Stephenson has found a home in New Athens, Ohio, but he will never forget where he came from.
无毛视频淚 do come back home when I can,无毛视频� Stephenson said. 无毛视频淚 also follow a lot of the Waynesburg wrestling. I love the sport of wrestling and was proud to be able to give back through coaching.无毛视频�