On Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, Mr. Craig Reddish was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to the wrestling community both as a player and a coach.

Although having a successful team with many wins helps with being inducted into the Hall of Fame, it isn’t the major point behind the award. To be considered for induction, the applicant must be involved with the sport for 20 years. They have to contribute to the community of wrestling like it is their second family. They have to maintain great sportsmanship and leadership. Mr. Reddish has all of those qualities and more. He helped his wrestlers on and off the mat, no matter the circumstance. He encouraged them to do their best in everything they do, whether it be in the classroom, the gym, or their house.

“I was reluctant to even fill out the application,” Mr. Reddish said. “I didn’t think I was ready yet and I’m just not that type of guy. It was Ms. Hemmes who encouraged me to fill it out. It’s really quite humbling when you look at it. You don’t reflect on all that stuff usually but now that I do, it’s pretty great.”

Mr. Reddish has spent most of his life as a wrestler, starting when he joined the Bel Air Jr. League in 1978. By the time he graduated high school, Mr. Reddish was a regional champion and had placed third in states. When the head wrestling job opened up in 1993, Mr. Reddish took it in the hopes of bringing the Bobcats back to its past glory.

In the past 22 years Mr. Reddish has accomplished: 323 Dual Meet wins consisting of 13 Regional Champions, 4 State Champions, 23 State Place Winners; 2010 State Dual Meet Team Champions; 1997 Baltimore Sun Harford County Coach of the Year; 2005 MWOA Outstanding Sportsmanship Award; 2010 Hall of Fame Districts 7 & 8.

David Reagan, a Senior Captain for the team and one of the many wrestlers Mr. Reddish affected during this time, said, “Coach Reddish makes us the best possible wrestlers we can be, and when he’s not helping us, he’s helping the sport statewide. He’s the type of coach you can go to for a problem and he’ll be there for you.”

Congratulations Coach Reddish on such a monumental accomplishment.