Phil Bartram graduated from Fairland High School (Ohio) in 1968. At Fairland he participated in football, wrestling and track (captain). He attended Marshall University and graduated in 1976 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.

He moved to Raleigh County in 1977 teaching at Bradley Elementary School. While at Bradley, he started a highly successful youth wrestling program. He became the assistant wrestling coach at Woodrow Wilson High School in 1981. He was the head coach at Woodrow Wilson from 1995 to 2006. His teams boast- ed twenty-five individual regional championships and forty state place winners. He also coached wrestling for two years at Stratton Jr. High School.

During this time he coached other sports like football at Park Jr. High (9 years) boy's track at Liberty High School (18 years)and cross country at Woodrow Wilson (12 years). He also helped start middle school cross country in the southern part of the state. Phil's teams won numerous conference and regional titles in track and cross country.

Phil was a two time wrestling Regional Coach of the Year, seven time Coalfield Conference Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Raleigh County Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1984. Phil has been described as having a "warm personality, integrity and sincerity with a focus on academics and athletics. He loved to compete."

Phil and his lovely wife Stella reside in Crown City, Ohio. They have two children-Shawn(Megan) and Ashley. They also have two grandchildren- Addy and Olivia.