For Terry Perdew, wrestling began as punishment. His ninth-grade English teacher, William "Pete" Finnegan, who was also the head wrestling coach at Oscar Smith High School, suggested that he serve his sentence by cleaning the wrestling mats. The rest, as they say, is history. Terry found a home in that wrestling room, winning the Eastern Region in 1968 and 1969, and reaching the state finals under coach Lewis "Gene" Winston. In college, he transferred to Old Dominion University for a remarkable senior year, wrestling for legendary coach Thomas "Pete" Robinson. He posted a 44-3-1 record, winning the 1974 Division II National Championship at 118 pounds. Coach Perdew began his coaching and teaching career at Phoebus High School, but after a year became assistant wrestling coach at Deep Creek High School. During his tenure, the Hornets won the Southeastern District three times, the Eastern Region twice, and the Virginia AAA State Championship in 1983, taking nine individual state titles along the way. Three years later, Perdew became the head coach at Western Branch High School. His achievements there were spectacular: the Bruins won two AAA state titles, the individual tournament in 1997 and the dual-team tournament in 1990. They were also runners-up in 1991, 1992, and 1995, and third in 1996. With a dual-meet record of 151-34-1, 10 individual state champions, 8 runners-up and 45 state medalists (top 6), Western Branch was a dominating force in Virginia wrestling in the '90s. In his distinguished career, Terry Perdew has won many notable honors, among them the Oscar Smith High School Hall of Fame (1989); the Sports Hall of Fame (1989) and Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year (1974) at Old Dominion University; and the Virginia Coach of the Year Award from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (1997).