Bruce Rich started his wrestling career as a freshman at Chelmsford High School. If he had his way he would have played basketball, but his older brother Jim won the 145 pound State Championship so Bruce had little choice but to wrestle. Four years later Bruce was a state place winner and team captain.

After graduating from Chelmsford, Bruce was awarded a football scholarship to Boston University where he was an All-New England cornerback. During the winter, when the rest of the football team was lifting weights, Bruce took his talents to the mats. He became a four-year starter and wrestled for two New England Championship teams. Individually, he won two Yankee Conference Championships.

Upon graduation from BU in 1977, Bruce was hired by Brookline High School as an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach. His one-year at Brookline was a memorable one as the wrestling team had its first winning season in almost a decade.

In 1978, as luck would have it, Bruce was hired in his hometown of Chelmsford to start the adapted Physical Education program. He went on to teach for 35 years. Upon his hiring he also became an assistant football coach for the legendary Tom Caito and assisted Hall of Famer Randy Whitehead in wrestling. Upon Coach Whitehead's retirement in 1979, Bruce took over as head wrestling coach and amassed an impressive record. In his 37 years as a head coach, his teams won 11 conference titles, five MIAA State Championships, two Coaches Association Dual Meet State titles, the 1986 New England Championship, and received two national rankings. Recently retired, Bruce's overall record was 554 wins, 136 losses, and 7 ties (an 80% winning percentage). He never had a losing season.

In 1996 Bruce assumed the head football position at Chelmsford when Tom Caito started the Merrimack College program. In his 19 years as head coach, Bruce's teams won seven conference titles, made five Super Bowl appearances, and were the 2007 Super Bowl Champions. He was fortunate enough to coach his three sons, Bruce, Ed, and Tim, who were All-Conference quarterbacks on four Super Bowl teams. His sons also wrestled, where they all excelled, earning individual honors.

For 24 years, Bruce was the head softball coach, where his teams won ten League Championships, three Sectional Championships and were the 1999 State Champions. He coached his daughter Meghan, a Globe All-Scholastic pitcher. Recently Bruce hit a major milestone, surpassing 1000 career victories for all three sports.

Bruce's coaching style has been consistent over the years. His "hard work pays off" approach has been the key to success, and "always keep it fun" kept the kids coming back.

Bruce comments, "I am honored to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. I am especially thankful for all the support I have received from my family. My parents, Jim and Rosemary Rich, seldom missed a contest and are two of the CHS Lions biggest fans. I would like to give special thanks to my beautiful wife of 31 years, Peg; the early morning weigh-ins, the long Saturdays in the gym, listening to all the 'war stories' and for just being there for the entire family."

Bruce shares the credit for Chelmsford's wrestling success. He points out, "Many assistant coaches have contributed along the way, including Chip Dunn, Jim Deprofio, Chris McArthur, Rob Russo, Dave Brennan, Jeff Jennings, John Hickey, Tom Caito, Dave Mills, Dennis King, Scott Moreau, Steve McClure, Roy Mendonca, Dave Daigneault, Todd Ahern, Jon Clement, Todd Ducharme, Toby Ducharme, Brian Viglione, Dan Warshafsky, Bruce Rich Jr., Pat McCabe, Aaron Mounsey, Tyler Carmoli, Eli Gioumbakis and Tom Fleming."

In recognition of his many years of service to the sport of wrestling, The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is honoring Bruce Rich with its Award for Lifetime Service to Wrestling.