A teacher, coach, and master motivator, Charles Sherertz was drawn to kids that most others had previously given up on.

He coached 12 state wrestling team champions, eight in Missouri and four in Nebraska.

During his 27-year career, his teams won 20 state team trophies and he coached 36 individual state champions.

Sherertz was the only Missouri coach to be named National Coach of the Year by Amateur Wrestling News.

He excelled in baseball and football at Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He continued his athletic and academic careers at Washington University in St. Louis, where he lettered in baseball and football and was named to the Washington University All-Century Football Team.

He was also an amateur boxer and twice won the St. Louis Golden Gloves championship.