Joe G. Boone, III grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended Granby High School where he was a three-time district, regional, and state champion, under the legendary Billy Martin, Sr.

He received a full wrestling scholarship to the University of Oklahoma and was a three-year starter and a team co-captain. Boone had a career record of 46-9 and was a Big Eight Conference runner-up and two-time NCAA qualifier.

Boone earned his bachelor's degree in special education and became the head wrestling coach at the University of Tennessee. In his first season, he led the Volunteers to their first winning season.

After several years coaching UT, Boone returned to Norman, Oklahoma and entered the oil and gas industry while also working as an assistant coach for OU's freestyle team. Boone then relocated to Houston, where he began his own company, Boone Oil and Gas, and started the Woodlands Wrestling Club, which is still thriving today.

In 1990, he returned to Virginia and began teaching and coaching full time. Over the next 15 years, he successfully led several area teams, including Poquoson, Churchland, and Cox. A career highlight was coaching the Peninsula Wrestling Association and traveling the country. During his tenure the club produced numerous youth USA champions and All-Americans, many who went on to wrestle in college. Boon has coached 25 individuals who became Virginia state champions.

His proudest accomplishment is his relationship with and the success of Dr. Byron Tucker, who Joe says is "Like a son." Tucker was a Virginia state champion and an NCAA champion at Oklahoma.

Continuing his lifelong dedication to wrestling, Boone serves on the board of directors for the Norfolk Chapter of Beat the Streets, a club that reaches out to at-risk youth.

Boone is the father of four grown children: Michael, Gina, Barry and Andrew. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Judy Vogan Boone.

His wrestlers say that "Coach Boone taught us a tremendous amount about both wrestling and life-lessons that have helped us all remain humble in success and lessons that have helped us find strength and persevere when faced with challenges."