William "Bill" Savage

Bill’s career started as head coach of the wrestling team at Paramus High school (1974-80), head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University (1981-83), head coach at Elmwood Park High School (1983-86) and head coach at Pinelands Regional High School (1988-97). His coaching record for all of these teams was 258-70-4. Bill’s high school teams won 9 League championships, 7 district championships, 1 state sectional championship and 7 Holiday Tournament championships. His individuals won 58 district titles, 15 regional titles 10 state place winners, and former wrestler Matt Ghaffari placed 2nd in the Olympics in 1996. He was also the assistant track coach at Paramus High School (1980-88), and assistant football coach at Pinelands Regional High School (1991). Bill served as District VIII director for four years, Region IV director in 2004, Region I president and vice president (1972-73, 1981-84, 1974-80, and 1985-88), president of Region VI (1995-98), NJ Wrestling Coaches Association vice president (1977-80) and president (1999-2006). In 1977 he developed the state sectional group championships and proposed it to the NJSIAA with NJWCA president John Semar. Bill has been honored with the Harry E. Lake Award (1977). He was named the Coach of the Year 13 times and given the NJSIAA Service to Wrestling award (2002). He was elected into Region II Hall of Fame (1998), Region VI Hall of Fame (2003), and Elmwood Park Hall of Fame (1986) and is the creator of four wrestling websites. Currently he is volunteering with the Lemon Bay High School wrestling program in Florida.

Awards:

Year
2009
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
New Jersey

Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations