Charlie Bruce was born January 22, 1956 in Tifton, Georgia to parents Linda and Charles Bruce, Sr. The family moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1966. Charlie was a student and athlete at Berry Junior High and Vestavia Hills Junior High. He became a standout athlete in football, wrestling, and track while attending Vestavia Hills High School. Charlie enjoyed practicing his wrestling moves on his two younger sisters, Lynn and Teresa. During his senior year in 1974, Charlie became Vestavia's first wrestling state champion, winning the 192-pound weight class. He was offered and signed a scholorship to wrestle at the University of Alabama and wrestled his freshman year. Charlie received his B.S. Degree in education in 1978 from the University of Alabama, a master's degree in education in 1981 from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and an A-Certificate in School Administration in 1996 from the University of Montevallo. Following his graduation from college in 1978, Charlie began his teaching and coaching career at Pinson Valley High School in the Jefferson County School System. He coached girl's track and was an assistant coach in football. Charlie was also an assistant wrestling coach with head coach Hank Williford. Under their leadership, the Pinson Valley wrestling team won State Championships in 1979, 1980, and 1981. Charlie transferred to Fultondale High School in Jefferson County for the 1981-1982 school year. While there, he was an assistant football coach, head wrestling coach, head track coach, and head Junior High football coach. Charlie began building a strong wrestling program throughout the ongoing years with assistance from Oscar Mann, Tony McGinty, Billy Hughes, and Elise Butts Goodwin. The program's strength resulted in a 2nd place finish in State in 1988, and State Championships in 1992, 1994, and 1995. Charlie was named Jefferson County Coach of the Year for Wrestling in 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995. Charlie considers it a privilege and honor to have taught and coached so many outstanding young men. His love for the sport of wrestling was conveyed to his teams throughout his coaching career. He retired from coaching in 1995 to pursue school adminstration. In 1996, Charlie became an assistant principal at McAdory High School in Jefferson County. In 2001, he became an assistant principal at Vestavia Hills High School. Charlie remained at Vestavia until retiring in 2019, with 40 years in education. Charlie married his wife, Kathy, in 1979. They have two daughters, Jennifer Burns and Melissa Snyder, son-in-law Charlie Snyder, and grandchildren Lucy Burns and Harmon Burns. Charlie deeply appreciates the relationships he made in his career with other coaches, teachers, and administrators, as well as the love and support he has received from all of his family and friends.