A native of Statesville, North Carolina, Wood wrestled three years at Statesville High compiling a 75-3 career record. He captured three WNCSAA championships and was the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler in 1966. Wood received the first full wrestling scholarship at The Citadel, competing in the 123-pound weight class under Coach Ed Steers. Wood had a spectacular 78-4 career record at The Citadel including qualifying for the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore and junior (Wood missed his senior season due to an injury). He was named the Southern Conference’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1969 and never lost a home match. Wood was also a 2x qualifier for the US Olympic trials, 2x Southern Open Champion, Georgia Tech Open champion, and a First Colonies Tournament champion. Wood served on the Regimental Staff as a Cadet Captain, was a Dean’s List student, listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities and was a Distinguished Military Student. After fulfilling his military obligations, Wood earned a master's degree from UNC Chapel Hill before embarking on a successful 30-year teaching and coaching career at the North Carolina School for the Blind. At the NC School for the Blind, Wood's wrestling teams won 25 of 28 Eastern Athletic Association for the Blind Championships. Wood also officiated numerous amateur wrestling tournaments in North Carolina for more than 25 years. In 2008, he was inducted in the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and in 2009 was inducted into The Citadel Athletics Hall of Fame.