Billy Gutermuth graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, wrestling under the "Father of Virginia Wrestling" Billy Martin Sr., and winning an individual Virginia High School League state championship.

He then moved on to Lycoming College, where he reached the pinnacle of small-college wrestling by capturing an individual NAIA National Championship title.

After college, Gutermuth went on to become a legendary figure in Tidewater athletic history, spending decades serving as the iconic head varsity wrestling coach for Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Regarded as one of the finest technical wrestling instructors in the state, he engineered a powerhouse program that captured three Virginia Group AAA state team championships. Under his masterful guidance, the Falcons developed 16 individual state champions and six high school All-Americans.

Recognizing that year-round training was necessary to keep Virginia athletes competitive on the national stage, he actively partnered with local boosters to build and support off-season youth wrestling clubs in Virginia Beach, helping popularize the sport at younger ages.

Gutermuth's Lifetime Service to Wrestling award recognizes his unmatched, multi-decade record of excellence as an elite state champion, national collegiate titleholder, and outstanding high school coach, following in the shoes of his legendary mentor and high school coach.