In the annals of Lehigh University wrestling, few names stand out more and few accomplishments rise higher than those of Edward Baxter Eichelberger, Lehigh’s first two-time NCAA wrestling champion and one of just three Lehigh wrestlers to be named Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA tournament.

A native of Norfolk, Va., Eichelberger was undefeated in winning three state championships for Granby High School under legendary head coach Billy Martin. He caught the eye of then-Lehigh coach Billy Sheridan who persuaded him to pursue both his sport and his interest in engineering at Lehigh.

Eichelberger amassed a career record of 55-3-1 and was Lehigh’s first three-time All-America. In 1954, he lost in the national finals to Oklahoma A&M’s Myron Roderick. It was the last time he would lose in his career.

As a junior, Eichelberger went 19-0 and captured the NCAA title at 147 pounds, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors at the NCAA tournament. The following year, he repeated as champion with a 21-0 season record. In addition, he earned a pair of EIWA titles, as well as a pair of Outstanding Wrestler awards, and was one of Lehigh’s most accomplished pinners. He still ranks second in school record books with 37 falls and holds the Lehigh record with eight consecutive wins by fall, and eight falls in NCAA Tournament competition.

Eichelberger earned his degree in electrical engineering and was employed by IBM for 38 years, from 1956 until his retirement in 1994. He received both his Masters and Ph.D. from Princeton University.

His accomplishments for IBM were almost as impressive as his mat credentials. In 38 years, he received 25 patents in the field of chip, circuit and test design. In 1974, he received the “Outstanding Contributor Award” from IBM for technical publications and patents.

As a competitor of outstanding achievement, Edward Baxter Eichelberger is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.