He fathered the greatest legend in the history of wrestling. So monumental were Rex Peery's personal achievements, and those of his family, that they tend to overshadow his outstanding coaching career and his many contributions to the development of the sport.

Peery was a three-time National Collegiate champion at Oklahoma State University under coach Edward C. Gallagher. For the next 29 years, he established a great coaching career, 13 years in Oklahoma high schools and 16 years at the University of Pittsburgh.

Two unforgettable milestones mark his Pittsburgh coaching tenure. In 1952, '53 and '54, he coached his elder son, Hugh, to NCAA championships. In 1955, '56 and '57, he coached his younger son, Ed, to those same honors. Can any family, in any sport, equal those achievements of nine national championships in nine attempts?

As a wrestler, Rex Peery was undefeated in dual meets. He added the 1935 National AAU championship to his collegiate laurels.

As a coach, he produced 233 victories, 58 losses and six ties. His Pittsburgh teams twice were NCAA runners-up and he developed 13 individual collegiate champions and 23 Eastern champions. He continued to serve in the athletic department of the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant professor until his retirement.

He was coach of the United States freestyle team in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, was a member of the Olympic Wrestling Committee for 12 years, and held many other positions of service in the sport.

Peery was one of the founders of USA Wrestling programs in Pennsylvania and served on its national governing council, as well as the board of governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In recognition of his contributions to wrestling as an athlete, coach and administrator, Rex Anderson Peery is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.