Pug Williams is considered “Mr. Wrestling in New Jersey.” As a history and social studies teacher, he was the first wrestling coach of Roselle Park High School starting in the 1930’s and made Roselle Park one of the earliest wrestling powerhouses in NJ, a tradition continued to this day. A boxer and champion gymnast graduating from East Stroudsburg Univ. (then Teachers College), PA, “Pug” never wrestled competitively and learned the sport from books, movies, other coaches and wrestlers, and by attending the early wrestling training camps run by Lehigh Univ. famed coach Billy Sheridan who became his close friend. “Pug’s” coaching record at RPHS of 146-43-4 reveals only one losing season during 23 years of coaching. His teams captured the State Championship 3 times while he coached over 50 state champions. As a summer playground instructor he brought wrestling and boxing to the young kids, a precursor of today’s youth programs. For 12 years, he served in the capacity of NJSIAA Tournament Director at a time of rapid growth in the sport of wrestling. A knowledge coach and exceptional communicator, Williams was a much sought after to conduct clinics for aspiring wrestlers and for giving sports and motivational speeches to hundreds of high school and other groups during his career. He started the Williams Wrestling Clinic and directed the Middle Atlantic States Wrestling Clinic in Pennsylvania for 12 years. As a wrestling pioneer, he is the first person selected for the prestigious Harry E. Lake Award in 1952; the first person to receive the NJSIAA Award of Honor; and a charter member of the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association serving as president. In 1972, he was inducted into the Helms Foundation Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. In his honor, the award for the number one team in New Jersey is named for Ralph “Pug” Williams.