A coach and administrator, Jay Rydell still has his hand in Washington high school sports coordinating tournaments at the district regional and state levels. He participated in football and wrestling in colleges in Nebraska and Montana before beginning his career as an educator and wrestling official. He came to Washington in 1968 and moved to the Spokane Valley as head wrestling coach at Central Valley High School from 1971-1981. He them became athletic director at the school until his retirement in 1997. Jay Rydell was the Greater Spokane League wrestling coordinator and helped establish junior high wrestling in the Central Valley School District. He remains active in wrestling circles as a match official and since 1981 continues as WIAA Regional tournament manager. Rydell also coordinates regional cross country and the State 2A/1A/B track meet at Eastern Washington University. Jay and his wife Sandy, have two children and four grandchildren.