James Lamb

James Lamb graduated from Kenmore West High School in 1971 where he was a multisport athlete. Jim's fine high school wrestling career would serve as a foundation for an outstanding wrestling coaching career that has spanned 37 years, 27 of them in New York State. He was inducted into the Ken-West Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989. Jim did his collegiate wrestling at the University at Buffalo (UB) 1972-1975. He proved to be an important member of wrestling teams that enjoyed top 20 ranking in NCAA Division I by Amateur Wrestling News, and ranked as high as second in the East by a wrestling publication from Wilkes-Barre, Pa. In 1973, Mr. Lamb captured third place, at the 177pounds weight class, in the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Championships. Shortly after graduating from UB in 1975, Jim accepted a position as Graduate Assistant Wrestling Coach, at North Dakota State University (NDSU), under legendary coach Bucky Maughan (1975-77). While he assisted Bucky, NDSU placed fourth as a team in the NCAA Div. II Wrestling Championship. Soon after earning his Master's Degree from NDSU in 1977, Jim accepted a position as head wrestling coach at Devil's Lake High School, in North Dakota, a position he would hold for the next eight years. Mr. Lamb quickly established himself as a fine wrestling coach. His teams won two North Star Conference Championships (1980-82),won a Regional Championship and placed fourth as a team in the North Dakota State High School Wrestling Tournament in the1981.While at Devil's Lake, Jim mentored 56 State qualifiers, 23 State place finishers (1 champion, 3 runner-ups, 3 thirds, 3 fourths, 5 fifths and 8 sixths). Mr. Lamb moved back to Western NY in 1985 after he was named head wrestling coach at Williamsville South High School. Jim headed the Williamsville South wrestling program, with distinction, for the next 16 years. His team in the early 1990's won three straight ECIC Div. III Conference Championships. He coached eight overall Section 6 wrestling champions and six place finishers in the New York State High School Wrestling Championships. Billy Schoenle was a champion in 1986 and placed fourth in 1987 at 250 pounds, Kevin Brinkworth was a runner-up in 1990 and placed fifth in 1991 at 215pounds, Matt Martin was a runner-up in 1995 at 126 lbs. and Jim Mathies was a runner-up in 1999 at 189 lbs. Jim Lamb's dual meet coaching record at Williamsville South was a solid 123-64-3. From 2003-2008, Mr. Lamb coached the modified wrestling team at Williamsville North High School. In 2008, he accepted the position of assistant wrestling coach at Williamsville North High School. In addition, Jim has served wrestling by working numerous camps and clinics from New York State to North Dakota for some 40 years. Also, Jim has served Section 6 wrestling by being the founding president of the Western New York Wrestling Coaches Association. In addition to coaching wrestling, Mr. Lamb has been a physical education teacher in the Williamsville School District for 29 years, assistant varsity football coach for 16 years and track and field coach at the modified level. It is important to note that Jim Lamb has always been known for his high level of ethics and strong character throughout his teaching and coaching career. In short, he is the type of person one would like to have teaching or coaching their child. For his many years of dedication to the sport of wrestling, the New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of James Lamb by inducting him into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2014
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
New York - Upstate

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