Gary Garcia has been active in the sport of wrestling since he was introduced to the sport in Junior High School. He attended James Logan High School where he was a four-time North Coast Section medalist. In 1969 he enrolled at Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California, where he wrestled for Coach Zack Papacristos and was a two-time Community College All-American. After transferring to Chico State, Garcia was a two-time Far Western Conference Champion. In 197 4 he earned his BS degree as an elementary Physical Education specialist. In 197 6 he began his wrestling coaching career as an assistant at Cabrillo Junior College in Aptos, California, where he coached two Community College All-Americans. In 1978 he started his high school coaching career at Aptos High School where he coached his first California state finalist. The following year, while still maintaining his Elementary physical education specialist status, an off-campus coaching position became available at Watsonville High School. As head coach there from 1979-2014, his teams won 14 league titles, placing eight times in the top eight at sectionals. Garcia's Watsonville team earned one sectional championship and one runner-up, once placing fifth at the State Championships. His individual coaching accomplishments included two State champions, three State Finalists and seven State Placers. During that time he also produced 20 section champions and 13 section finalists along with 39 additional section placers and 10 All-Americans. In 2010 he retired as a high school physical education teacher from Watsonville High School but stayed on to coach an additional three years despite funding cutbacks when all sports programs received no funding. Gary has been involved not only as a coach, competitor, tournament director and middle school coach, but at times he was simultaneously fundraising, traveling and coaching his community youth wrestling club over 25 years. As a retired wrestling coach, Garcia remains involved as a mentor to local high school coaches, parents and wrestlers who have an interest in developing successful wrestling careers. Gary has always believed and preached that wrestling is the best sport for developing overall character.