One of the guidelines for the Colorado Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is that a candidate may be nominated "based on long-time service and dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people through the sport of wrestling." That guideline almost seems to have been written for Forrest Davis, a man who has spent nearly four decades developing leaders and quality citizens as a coach and teacher. "Education is one of those things that you get into the trenches with the kids "” it doesn't matter if it's in the classroom or on the mat," Davis said. "Every once in a while I'll be blessed and a kid will come back to say, 'You changed my life, you really made an impact on me.' That to me is a great accomplishment. I got into the educational arena to impact kids' lives and I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to do that." Davis, who currently coaches at Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, has left an indelible imprint on generations of athletes at Sheridan High School (SHS) and Bear Creek. He wrestled just two years in high school in Carlsbad, New Mexico, but that was enough, he had caught the wrestling bug. Davis became a wrestling official, a job that led to his first coaching job, in Albuquerque. That, in turn, led to a recommendation that he pursue a teaching career. He took that advice, enrolled at Adams State College (ASC), and obtained a degree in industrial arts. While earning his degree he continued his wrestling career at ASC. That produced his first teaching and coaching job at Sheridan High. He coached at SHS from 1984 through 2006. When his sons enrolled at Bear Creek High School, Forrest began coaching wrestling there. Davis has coached numerous state placers and has twice been named Metro League Coach of the Year. He was nominated by another long-time Colorado coach and Hall of Fame member, Steve Burdick. "There are many folks who serve kids," Burdick wrote. "There are many folks who love the sport of wrestling. There are fewer who have lived a life as a coach who are deserving of this honor. I have worked with and known many of the best coaches Colorado has put on the mat.... Forrest is in the same league as these great examples of men." Davis said he is "humbled" by the honor. "When I look at all the great individuals who have contributed to the sport of wrestling and to the kids, it's amazing to think I am being named right alongside of them." "Two things that changed my life in high school "” wrestling and my Christian walk "” have directed my life for what is now 36 years of teaching and coaching. I couldn't have been more blessed."