Randy Konstans
Randall Konstans was introduced to the sport of wrestling when he entered St. Charles High School in the fall of 1978. For the next four seasons, his wrestling experience would be in the very capable hands of Coaches Fred Bruder and Chuck Robinson. After graduating from St. Charles High School, Randy enrolled in Illinois Wesleyan University, an NCAA Division III school in Bloomington. Competing all four years for the Titans at 118 pounds, Randy was a three-time place-winner in the tough College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Following graduation, Randy became an assistant wrestling coach at his high school alma mater, assuming a multi-faceted role as an assistant to Hall of Famer Mick Ruettiger: coaching at various scholastic levels (including varsity); assisting with the organization and running of numerous wrestling events; and organizing and structuring the weight-lifting regimen for the wrestling program. When a full-time teaching position opened at West Aurora High School in the spring of 1989, Randy moved to the school as a full-time educator, and his commitment mirrored his past-practice. For the next 12 years, Randy served as an untiring Varsity Assistant Coach. He also assumed the role of weightlifting co-coordinator, as well as an organizer for multiple wrestling events. In spring and summer, he helped organize and supervise West's "Open Gym" for wrestlers seeking to improve their skills in Freestyle and Greco-Roman techniques. One would be hard pressed to be at a spring or summer tournament and NOT see Randy volunteering at a scoring table. Along with Lester Coleman, Randy helped organize and run the 1995 Freestyle and Greco-Roman Junior Duals held at SIU-Edwardsville. At the time, he also helped organize and supervise local area wrestlers in cultural exchanges to Rhode Island and Winnipeg, Canada. Randy was recognized by the IWCOA as its Assistant Coach of the Year in 1992 and again in 1998. Both years, he was also named a coach for the Indiana-Illinois Scholastic Duals. Around 2003, Randy became West Aurora's Athletic Director. For the next four years he also served as the DuPage Valley Conference's Wrestling Resource Athletic Director. In 2006, the IWCOA named Randy as its Administrator of the Year. He became Lockport High School's Athletic Director in 2006 and in 2010, accepted the same position at Downers Grove South High School. Although Randy's responsibilities encompass a variety of areas, he still makes time to give back to the sport. Since 2004, he has served as a Bench Official for the IHSA Individual State Tournament and recently, as the Co-Head Bench Official. From 2004 through 2010 he served as a Bench Official at the IHSA Dual Team State Tournament. From 2007 until present, Randy has served as a board member of National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Illinois Chapter and its treasurer since 2010. In 2014, in recognition of his dedication, commitment and service to the sport of wrestling, the IWCOA inducted Randy Konstans into its Hall of Fame.
Awards:
Year
2017
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Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
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Chapter/Region
Illinois
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