Gary Edwards was a standout athlete at Peru Central School on the track and wrestling mat. However, it was at wrestling that he excelled. He garnered two Section 7 wrestling championships and enjoyed an undefeated senior year for the Peru Indians. In 1968 directly after graduation, Gary joined the Marines and served his country until 1970 as a helicopter mechanic. Subsequently, Gary went on to Canton ATC and earned a degree in Business Administration. Then he attended the University of Buffalo, where he received a degree in Physical Education. In 1977 Gary would return to Peru and begin teaching until his retirement in 2001.

During his many years of teaching Gary coached or helped to coach five different sports including girls' and boys' track and field, boys' and girls' soccer, and wrestling. Gary was a standout boys' soccer coach, and his teams won two CVAC titles from 19B0 to 2003,11 sectional titles and three regional championships.

In his first year teaching at Peru, Edwards started his wrestling coaching career, and he is presently still working as a wrestling coach in the district, While at Peru he would coach modified wrestling, serve as an assistant coach, work as a co-coach and function as the head coach. During his illustrious coaching career, he helped to produce 47 sectional champions and 14 place winners at the NYSPHSAA championships which included one state champion (Jeff Way) and four finalists. Coach Edwards has, in his different coaching capacities, helped coach 20 wrestling teams to CVAC and Sectional championships. Additionally, he has during his wrestling tenure at Peru, been involved with the development of 191 sectional champions. It speaks volumes to the length and quality of his wrestling commitment. Gary has worked or wrestled for Coach Tony Papero, first coach for Peru, Hall of Fame Coach Stan Riggs, and another Hall of Fame coach and Peru wrestler, Mike Hogan. The tradition of wrestling has been deeply embedded in the Peru Central School for many years.

In addition. Coach Edwards has been the Section Seven Wrestling Coordinator as well as the CVAC Coordinator for many years. Coach Mike Hogan had this to say about Gary: "He is an old school type of coach. He believes in discipline, hard work and going by the rules, and being fair and square." One of Gary's former wrestler, Jeff Way, now the current varsity football defensive coordinator and head girls track coach, stated this about Coach Edwards: "He taught us to have a good work ethic and that as a coach, you have to work as hard as the athletes. If the kids see the coach working hard they will try to emulate him. And this attitude will bring about success in whatever you do." Certainly, this approach has resulted in success in all sports that he has worked in.

Gary contributes the reasons for Peru and his success is hard work, having good coaches, developing strong ties with the community and being married to a wife who supports him in all his endeavors. Coach Edwards added this, "My wife, Nancy is the greatest reason for my success."

Gary is also a member of the American Legion, Keeseville Elks Lodge and past Governor of the Plattsburgh Moose Lodge 2390 where he received his fellowship degree and the Moose International Governors Excellence Award twice as well as a lifetime membership. He also is involved in the North Country Honor Flight program that pays tribute to all the men and women veterans who have served their country.

The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is honored to award Coach Gary Edwards with the Lifetime Service Award of the NWHGF. We salute you for all your contributions to wrestling on a local and state level.