Affectionally known as “Spence,” Craig Spencer was a dedicated athlete, coach and mentor in the sport of wresting for over a half century.

Spencer’s stellar coaching career began at Union County College in 1974 and spanned across scholastic and collegiate levels over the next five decades.

At Pequannock High School, Spencer compiled a 113-55-5 record as head coach, leading the team to three league championships and five district titles while leading his 1987 squad to the Skyline Conference championship – the program’s first in 16 years. He was named Coach of the Year four times before stepping down following the 1988 season.

Along with wrestling, Spencer also coached soccer and track at the Pompton Lakes-based school.

Spencer moved onto the college ranks where he took over the Kean College program for seven seasons. He coached 14 All-Americans, including a national champion (Frank Croce, 1995) a national runner-up (Joe Dasti, 1989) and a third-place finisher (Chris Steinbacher, 1993. Five of his teams finished in the Top 20 for Division III, including an eight-place finish in 1991.

His next coaching stop came at Lakeland High School where he coached for 12 seasons, helping lead Tom Fazio to the top of the state podium at 145 pounds in 2005.

Even in his seventies, Spencer was in the wrestling room sharing his knowledge and teaching the younger generation of mat men, working as an assistant coach at West Milford.

Spencer was a NCAA Division III All-American at Montclair State College, a two-time Metropolitan Intercollegiate champ and New York Athletic Club Freestyle MVP in 1975. He was a two-time U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials qualifier in 1974 and 1976.

Along with being the driving force behind the Morris County Wrestling Coaches Tournament, Spencer was inducted into the Pequannock Wrestling and Morris County Coaching halls of fame.

Spencer and his wife Adelaide have a daughter, Michelle, two grandsons, George and Logan, and a son, Paul.

Spencer passed away on June 14, 2025.