Robert Therry
Bob Therry graduated from Waukegan High School in 1945 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Butler University in 1951. Although an accomplished baseball player (pitcher), Bob never wrestled a single match in high school; Waukegan High School did not begin its wrestling program until 1947. Upon his graduation from Butler, Bob entered the teaching profession where he would establish himself as an accomplished educator and coach over the next thirty-four years. His journey began when he took a position teaching English at Rock Falls High School in 1951. Three years later he moved to Downers Grove High School (1954); to Wauconda High School in 1955; and finally to North Chicago Community High School in 1957. In each of these schools Bob Therry started the wrestling program. Over the course of his career Bob served as a football coach (10 years), a baseball coach (9 years), an athletic trainer (12 years) and a wrestling coach (27 years). It was, however, in the realm of wrestling that Bob Therry coached teams excelled. From 1957 through 1977 his Warhawk wrestling program won fifty-five team trophies including fifteen consecutive conference titles in both the Tri-County and North Suburban Leagues. His teams won eleven IHSA District (now Regionals) and five IHSA Sectional Championships. At a time when team places were determined by the individual wrestlers' placements, Bob's teams placed 3rd in the State in 1961, 4th in 1964, 2nd in 1969 and 1st in 1970. The Illinois Scholastic Wrestling News selected Bob as the Illinois Coach-of-the-Year in 1970. In 1978 The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named Bob as its National Coach of the Year. During his career Bob coached ten individual IHSA State Champions and 34 additional medalists. Additionally, four of his wrestlers earned Prep All-American status. Bob's dual meet career record stands at 285-128-10. However, Bob's contributions went beyond the ranks of coaching. For five years he served on the IHSA Wrestling Advisory Board (1966-1971); he served as the Tournament Clerk and Recorder for the 1964 Final Olympic Trials; he was the Director and host of the United States Olympic Midwest Trials (1972); he served as Chairman of the Illinois Prep All-American selection committee for twenty years; served as an officer and founder of the Mid-States Wrestling Officials Association (1960s) the fore-runner to the IWCOA; served as a committee member of the Mayor Daly Wrestling Club (1960s). Bob also served as a mat official for approximately forty years working the IHSA State series for ten years as well as numerous collegiate events "” including the prestigious Ken Kraft Midlands Tournament. In recognition of a truly illustrious career, Bob, besides being named as Illinois Coach-of-the-Year in 1970 and 1978, has been inducted in to the IWCOA Hall of Fame (1975); has served as a Grand Marshal for the Individual IHSA State Tournament (1985); has been presented with the IWCOA's Lifetime Achievement Award (2003); has been inducted into the Waukegan Sports Hall of Fame (2010). All in all, not a bad resume for an individual who never wrestled.
Awards:
Year
2011
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Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
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Chapter/Region
Illinois
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