Wayne Van Burger is recognized for his years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people throughthe sport of wrestling.

• 2001 Coach and Representative of the Micronesian Olympic National Team
• Started wrestling program at Seaside High School in 1971
• 2002 Oregon Cadet National Team Coach

Wayne Van Burger helped start the wrestling program at Seaside High School in 1971 before moving to Marshfield High School in 1974. Wayne started as assistant coach and in 1984 became head coach, where his teams compiled a dual meet record of 147-26-3 and were champions of runners-up 20 out of the last 21 years. At Marshfield, he coached 9 state champions and 7 Academic All- Americans. He was named District 5 4A "Coach of the Year" nine times and has never coached a losing season since 1971 when he started coaching.

Coach Van Burger was team leader/coach for MHS Cultural Exchange Team in their sister city, Choshi, Japan. On two occasions he was team leader and coach for the Oregon Cultural Exchange Teams in Japan and Alaska. He has served nine times as director or co-director for the Oregon State Freestyle and Greco Wrestling Tournament. In 1998 he was one of five coaches to work and train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center with the Greco Team.

For his dedication and lasting influence on wrestling, Wayne Van Burger is presented the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award for the class of 2005.