Coach Taylor fully understood the challenge to put the Rider University Wrestling program on the national map.

He has built a respected program at a smaller Division I school with limited resources and challenging academics.

Over his impressive 39 years at Rider, his accomplishments include 442 dual meet wins (3rd all time in NCAA Division I), 173 NCAA Qualifiers, 17 All-Americans, 14 Conference Championships and nine Conference Coach of the Year Awards. His 1997 team finished seventh in the nation's final dual meet ranking.

One of the many qualities which stand out when people refer to Coach Taylor is that he really cared and invested time in the overall development of his student athletes. He built a program that focused on discipline, maturity, leadership and competitiveness. More than a dozen of his former wrestlers entered coaching at various levels.

He also has been referred to as a true Renaissance man, because he is an accomplished guitarist, and appreciates music as an art form.

To quote Rider Athletic Director Don Harnum,"Gary Taylor's track record speaks for itself. His core values of recruiting and developing young men through hard work has stood the test of time for nearly four decades."

John Hangey, current Rider head coach, said, "It has been an absolute honor and privilege to have been recruited, coached and mentored by Gary Taylor."

Success is something Gary has earned by his countless hours of dedication in all facets of his life.

However it is what he has done for others that is his greatest achievement.

Congratulations Gary on being recognized as the Lifetime Service award recipient, and your induction into the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2018.

We know that your family is most proud of your many accomplishments in the sport of wrestling.