Bill Lied, Jr. will be honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement for Officials award. Lied passed away in 1985, but his legacy as a wrestling official and as a promoter of the sport are lasting.

He was honored by FILA, the international governing body for the sport of wrestling, as the “first category exceptional” official for life. Lied refereed freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments on the grassroots level in New York and New Jersey. He also officiated at every major event in the world, including national championships, World Team Trials, Olympic Trials, Pan American Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games. In 1975, he received the FILA Gold Cross, and he was only the second American to be retired at FILA’s top rank as an official. Considered one of the best international referees ever, Lied worked tirelessly as a volunteer, organizing wrestling tournaments and promoting the sport of wrestling.

Lied was a professor at Wagner College for 20 years before retiring in 1980. He also served as the head wrestling coach at Wagner. Lied graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and from Wagner College. He also served his country as an Army veteran of World War II.

In addition to his professional duties, Lied was the director of physical education for numerous YMCAs. He was given the status of “Five Star Physical Director” by the Central Atlantic YMCA Physical Education Society.

Lied earned his place as one of this country’s top international referees, but he also earned his place with USA Wrestling as a devoted volunteer. His work organizing tournaments, coaching wrestlers, and promoting wrestling are part of Lied’s contributions to the sport. Lied was devoted to wrestling as a citizen, as a competitor, as a coach, and, most prominently, as an outstanding wrestling referee.