Eddie Bailey began wrestling in the tenth grade at James M. Bennett Sr. High School with Coach Pat Briscoe. His record was 67-8 and he was a state runner up his senior year. In 1975 and 1976, Eddie qualified for the Junior Nationals in Iowa by winning the State of Maryland's Free Style Qualifier. Continuing his wrestling career at Salisbury State under coach Mike McGlinchey, Eddie finished with a 101-16 record. He was a two-time All-American with a runner up finish in 1980 after becoming Salisbury's first national champion at 118 lbs. in 1979. He received a State Senate Resolution Letter from Senator Joseph Long for becoming the first Salisburian to win a national championship in any sport. Named Outstanding Wrestler of the Year for Salisbury in 1979, Bailey later received Honorable Mention on Maryland's Greatest Wrestlers list and was a three-time all Marine Champion. In 1984, he finished fourth in the regional Olympic trials held in Orlando, Florida. Eddie's service to the community began while he was still wrestling at Salisbury where he was a Youth Playground Director. Later, he was an Assistant Coach there. After being a correctional officer for the State of Maryland and owning his own company, he now teaches Special Education at Salisbury Middle School. Eddie coached alongside Craig Bradley at Mardela High School; his record was 99-18-1. He was Bayside Coach of the Year for three years and coached six individual state champions and six runner ups. In 1992, Eddie had two individual state champions, propelling his team to a fourth place state finish. He also coached the youth Wolverines Wrestling team for five years with Pat Briscoe and at Team Delmarva. As a member of the Maryland Wrestling Officials Association since 2000, he has refereed many county, district, regional, and two state tournaments. Eddie Bailey has demonstrated the energy, leadership and dedication to the sport that makes him deserving of the Lifetime Service Award.