Les Pierce is recognized for his years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people through the sport of wrestling.

• Active member of the Cultural Exchange program for thirty years
• Coached High School wrestling for more then twenty-five years
• Officiated from 1960 to 1965

Coach Pierce was an assistant coach at David Douglas High School for several years before moving to Milwaukie High School where he brought the Mustangs to statewide competition. Theybwere tough as a team and had many top individuals. Many of Coach Pierce's wrestlers went on to compete in college. He was a taskmaster and his wrestlers were always competitive and still retain a high level of respect for Coach Pierce.

From 1985 to 1999 Les served on the state 4-A wrestling tournament committee and from 1990-1995 was President of the Oregon Wrestling Coaches Association. He was an active member of the Oregon Cultural Exchange Program for more then thirty years. In 1972 he hosted the state Greco and Freestyle Tournaments and took a cultural exchange team to Mexico.

For his dedication and lasting influence on wrestling, Les Pierce is presented the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award for the class of 2006