With a coaching career that has spanned five decades, Elmer Dize is recognized at one of the fines gentlemen to have worked with young people in the state of Maryland. Coach Dize has had a positive influence on thousands of youngster. Wherever you go in the Baltimore area, you will meet physicians, police officers, teachers, coaches and productive citizens from all walks of life who can remember the influence of Coach Dize on their lives.

When Coach Dize graduated from Crisfield High School he served overseas during World War II with the Maryland National Guard. Upon returning to Baltimore he enrolled at Towson State Teachers College (Towson University), were he competed in soccer and track.

Coach Dize began his teaching and coaching career at William Fell School. In 1954 he joined the football staff and worked as a volunteer wrestling coach at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical School (Mervo) un Coach Bill Anderson. Mergenthaler won the Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) TOURNAMENTS IN 1956, 1962, 1970.

Coach Dize became the head coach in 1965. While in that position, Mervo H.S. produced 24 MSA Champions, as well as 67 other top four finishes. Three of his athletes were named “Outstanding Wrestlers” of the MSA tournament. Mervo hosted the first Baltimore County Public School Tournament in 1981. Coach Dize team won that tournament in 1982 and 1983.

Coach Dize has been the recipient of several awards over his career. In 1965, he received the Boys Club of America “Contribution Award”. The Maryland Wrestling Officials Association has honored him for “Outstanding Contribution to the Sport of Wrestling Award”. In 1982, he was selected for the “Baltimore’s Best Award”. The Maryland State Wrestling Association selected him for the “Contribution to Wrestling Award.” Twice the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association has recognize Dize with its “Distinguished Service Award”. Coach Dize was inducted into the Baltimore County Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998 and the MPSSAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999.