Jim Vandehey’s wrestling career is a testament to perseverance and dedication.

A district champion at McMinnville High School, he arrived at Oregon State University without a state placing, yet by the end of his collegiate career he became a two-time All-American, finishing fourth in 1969 and fifth in 1970 at the NCAA tournament. He was later inducted into the Oregon State Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Vandehey’s education was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he attained the rank of captain and was awarded the Bronze Star. He also continued wrestling while in the military.

After returning from service, he served as head coach at Stayton High School for two seasons before launching a contracting business in 1975. In 1997, he returned to education and coaching as an assistant at Lebanon High School.

The following year he became head coach, inheriting a mat club program with just 10 wrestlers and a high school team of 15. Over 11 years, he expanded the program to 80 in the mat club, 50 in middle school, and 50 at the high school level, while coaching eight state placers, including a state champion. Rather than retiring, Vandehey stepped aside to serve as assistant coach to Michael Cox, a role he has held for 18 years.

His athletic director notes, “Jim steadfastly refuses to accept any stipend for his services, opting instead to allocate those funds towards the betterment of the program.”