The name Wade Schalles is tied to the sport of amateur wrestling in so many ways that there are few people, if any, whose total body of work is more impressive.
During his career, Mr. Schalles became the first Pennsylvanian to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He also was selected “Athlete of the Year”, “Coach of the Year”, “Man of the Year” and “Sportswriter of the Year.” He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most wins and most pins. When he refereed, he was one of the highest-rated wrestling officials in the United States.
Voted “World’s Greatest Wrestler” by coaches from around the globe for pinning all of his opponents at the Collegiate World Championships, Mr. Schalles is the National Record Holder for defeating the most NCAA Champions and pinning the most NCAA Champions.
On the international level he holds the World Records for defeating the most World Champions and pinning the most World Champions.
Collegiately Mr. Schalles was the first wrestler to pin over 100 collegiate opponents. a record that stood for decades. For his skill at putting people on their backs, WIN Magazine, and the National Wrestling Coaches Association, annually present the Schalles Award to the nation’s top scholastic and collegiate pinners.
Mr. Schalles has won 15 national championships and been an All-American in five different combative disciplines: Judo, Sombo, Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
He’s also authored two bestselling books on the sport: The Book of Wrestling Trivia; They Call it Wrestling. For non-fiction, Jacob’s Cradle has received nothing but 5-Star reviews from Amazon. Due out this Fall, a sequel to Jacob’s Cradle – Charlotte’s Gaff.
Wade’s talents as a clinician has led to his instructional videos being the sports most popular, and best selling ones of all time. Fanatics.com
Currently Wade Schalles is one of the country’s most popular columnists. “Creative” is probably the best way to describe his writing style as well as the way he views the sport.
Thought of as the Father of Funk Wrestling, Wade Schalles continues to make immeasurable contributions to the wrestling sport he loves.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT WADE SCHALLES:
“The most exciting wrestler to ever walk onto a wrestling mat.” – Sports Illustrated
“The best American middleweight of the 20th Century.” – Amateur Wrestling News
“The greatest pinner he’s ever seen!” – Dan Gable
