A graduate of Chicago's wrestling powerhouse, Tilden Tech, Charlie Anderson won the 120-pound state title in 1952.

He went on to wrestle for Michigan University where he became a Big Ten place-winner. In 1959, Charlie placed third in the National AAU Tournament. His coaching career began with a one-year stint as an assistant at Michigan University.

Charlie then moved into the high school coaching ranks, assisting for two years at Niles West before assuming the head coach role for an additional three years. From Niles West, Charlie moved to Savanna High School where he spent the rest his long and prosperous coaching career.

During his career his teams produced seven conference titles, 11 Illinois High School Association regional titles, seven IHSA dectional titles and six state championships (1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1982). Additionally, his teams placed third in the state in 1978 and 1980.

Eighty-three individuals under Charlie's tutelage qualified for the state championships. Fifty two became place-winners led by a phenomenal 18 individual state champions.

His peers recognized his coaching talents by selecting Charlie as Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Coach of the Year on four different occasions (1974, 1975, 1979, and 1980).

Successful involvement in wrestling did not stop at the edge of the mat for Charlie. During the 1960s he originated the state's first wrestling newspaper The Illinois Prep Wrestling News, which ultimately evolved to the state-wide wrestling news known as The Word.

Charlie also served on the Illinois High School Association rules advisory committee or five years. Over the course of his career he served and supported both the IWCOA and the Illinois Wrestling Federation.

He developed the concept of summer commuter camps and assisted in summer tournament officiating.

In 1978 he served as the IWCOA President. For his many contributions to Illinois wrestling, Charlie was honored with his election to the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 1979. Four years later in 1983, he was made Grand Marshall for the State Finals, and received the Lifetime Achievement award from the IWCOA in 2001.