Bert Ernst presently lives in Sanborn, New York, with his wife Becky Lee. He is director of the Beaver Hollow Conference Center which specializes in team building activities. His association with wrestling has spanned five decades. Bert Ernst began his wrestling career at Williamsville High School where he was NYSPHSAA Section VI Champion in 1959 and 1960. He began his college career at Illinois University, 1960-62, before returning to attend State University of New York at Buffalo, 1962-65. He won several personal wrestling honors: NYSYMCA Champion 1960, 41 Invitational Champion 1965, Niagara AAU Champion 1972, and Greater Buffalo Jewish Center Invitational Champion 1972. Bert's coaching career has been highly successful at no less than six institutions. He was the founder of the wrestling program at Buffalo State College, started as an assistant in the Lancaster High School program then went on to have undefeated teams and league champions at Williamsville North, Cheektowaga, Kenmore East and most recently at Williamsville East. Bert's high school teams have amassed over 300 dual meet wins, but his success as an educator of young men has distinguished him the most. Bert is a renowned clinician. He has taught at wrestling camps throughout the Northeast. He has had club teams that have competed across the country. He has been instrumental in developing kid wrestling programs wherever he has been. He has run over 30 AAU, USA Wrestling and kid tournaments. Bert has been honored as Section VI Coach of the Year in 1987, Super Seven Coach of the Year 1988, Niagara Frontier Wrestling Official's Association Sportsmanship Award in 1990, Williamsville South Wrestling Hall of Fame 1993-94, and Western New York Wrestling Coaches' Association in 2008. Bert Ernst certainly contributed to all levels of wrestling in Western New York, through his own personal wrestling career, his interest and promotion of kid's wrestling, his coaching career and his promotion of collegiate and international wrestling as well. For his many years of dedication to the sport of wrestling, the New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of Bert Ernst by inducting him into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.