Joe Bakewell grew up the son of 2 educators and a coach in Western Pennsylvania. As a son of a coach, he spent many hours and days at practices and games. This is when he fell in love with sports and he started wrestling at age 5 for E.F.A.A. Wrestling under Skip Williams, Calvin Kramer and Ward Cochenour., the sport quickly became a passion. He competed for Elizabeth Forward HS and Coach Warren Chellman, where he was a 3-year letterman and a two-time section Champ. In 1985 Joe started wrestling for Sam Case at McDaniel College, who quickly became his mentor and lifelong friend. Joe was a two-year captain and voted outstanding wrestler in 1990. Joe was awarded the prestigious Charles Havens Award, given to one intercollegiate athlete exhibiting charity, altruism, benevolence, and a humane and compassionate concern for his fellow man. In 1991, Joe began his coaching career at Loch Raven HS. He joined McDonogh School's coaching staff in 1994 where he's been for 23 years. Joe is passionate about teaching the sport. He loves coaching and connecting with kids through the sport of wrestling. Joe helps run the McDonogh wrestling club training kids from all programs and coaching the Maryland's National Freestyle/Greco teams for the past 17 years. Joe helped build McDonogh into a national wrestling powerhouse. His teams placed among the top 5 in National Preps 9 times, breaking top 50 national ranking numerous times. They won 6 MIS State Championships, 8 MIAA tournament Championships, 10 MIAA Dual Meet Championships, and produced 79 MIAA, 57 State and 13 National Prep Champions.