Jim Bair (Deceased March 21, 2008) Pomeroy High School 1966-1967 Republic High School 1968-1973 Castle Rock High School 1974-1988 Castle Rock Middle School 1990-2002 The late Jim Bair coached wrestling for over 30 years, 21 years at the high school level. After starting wrestling programs in Pomeroy and Republic, Bair moved across state to Castle Rock where he inherited a wrestling program that was overshadowed by the school's strong basketball tradition. His teams won 13 Trico League titles and at one time won 53 consecutive league dual matches. "The Rock" finished nine times in the top-ten at state with state titles in 1984 and 1985. They finished second in state twice (1981 & 1982) and third once (1983). Jim finished his coaching career with a 234-7-4 record (86% winning record). Statewide, Coach Bair was a strong advocate for the sport of wrestling. He organized and served as tournament director for over 20 post-season league, sub-district and regional tournaments. Jim was part of the coaches' grass roots movement to gain the second entry per weight class for the post-season that was implemented at Mat Classic 1 in 1989. In 1975 Bair and a small group of wrestling supporters established the Castle Rock Youth Wrestling program that continues to flourish to this day with over 70 boys and girls participating during the 2012-2013 school year. Jim Bair's legacy continues in many ways. Many former Castle Rock wrestlers currently are coaching at high schools and middle schools in Washington, including his son Joe Bair. Joe just completed his third season as the head baseball coach at Castle Rock HS, where he incorporates many of his dad's "methods". More than wins and losses, Jim Bair was devoted to all members of his teams. His influence has filtered down through generations and the Castle Rock Invitational Wrestling Tournament, named the Jim Bair Invitational in 2009, is run almost completely by former-wrestlers, stats people and cheerleaders. To the person, they always smile and comment to each other during the tournaments that coach is watching from the gym rafters, making sure everything is going according to his "plan". One of Jim's greatest accomplishments was his efforts to establish a scholarship fund for students involved in the Castle Rock wrestling program. Over $30,000 has been distributed to student athletes. Funds for the scholarships have been raised in part by Bair's organization of rest stop crews along Interstate 5 in Washington. Coach Bair was named the 1A/B Coach of the Year in 1988 and the 2A Middle School Coach of the Year in 2002. He was inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004. Jim Bair passed March 21, 2008, and is survived by his wife Judy, and children Joe, Andy (Senior Instrumentation and Electrical Technician at Corden Pharma Colorado in Boulder), Bonnie and Sydney, and two grandchildren, Natalie Jo and Parker James Bair. Judy still resides in Castle Rock and continues to help manage the wrestling tournaments each year.