Wayne and Kay Renneisen

Wayne & Kay never stepped on the mat as competitors, coaches, or officials, but they have been incredible boosters and supporters of our great sport for over 50 years.

Wrestling came into their lives in 1975 when their son, John, began to wrestle in middle school. John was an average wrestler, a varsity starter in high school, and at a Division III college until his junior year when a rib injury ended his career. Wayne and Kay saw enough wrestling to understand it’s benefits to John and his teammates.

In 1982, they attended the Olympic Trials at Grand Valley State in Michigan. They described “Six full days of watching wrestling, sitting on bleachers, intense and fascinating. The wrestlers and coaches were approachable and willing to answer questions.”

In 1988, Wayne & Kay the Olympic Trials, at Pensacola, Florida. One day, they were invited to join a group of long time wrestling supporters. Wayne & Kay later learned that three of them were distinguished members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Outstanding American in 2017, John Graham, was part of that group. John invited Wayne & Kay to attend the 1989 Virginia Duals. That visit began a new and more involved connection with wrestling. 

Wayne & Kay have supported wrestling at Lower Merion High School, Williams College, Bloomsburg University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Wayne authored a book about the 2006 season and the history of Penn Wrestling. They supported the Virginia Duals for nearly 20 years and the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club for 10 years until it ended. Wayne & Kay support the Penn Regional Training Center, and since 1993, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, including years serving as Governors Associates at Stillwater and Board of Governors. 

The Renneisens travel the world following wrestling. They’ve attend the NCAA Championships since 1990, the Virginia Duals, sponsoring Bloomsburg 2X and University of Penn 5X. The National Duals 4 times, the EIWA Tournament 20 times, the 1996 Olympics (in Atlanta), the World Championships, in Atlanta, New York City, and Las Vegas. They have been to the Henri Deglane Challenge, in Nice, France, 4 times and the Sunkist Open, both with the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club. Wayne & Kay attended numerous National Freestyle and Greco Roman Championships, Olympic Games, and World Team Trials in their years of following the best in our sport!

The Renneisens split their year living in New Jersey, and wintering in Florida. 


Awards:

Year
2022
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Pennsylvania

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations