The sport of wrestling has faced difficult times when numerous barriers seem to thwart efforts to advance our sport. Thankfully, we have been able to prosper in difficult venues, often due to the efforts of a rare and extraordinary individual, whose talent and commitment surpass challenging circumstances.

James (Jim) Regan has shepherded numerous wrestling programs through taxing times with the highest level of integrity, commitment and professionalism. He has had a profound impact on the development of scholastic wrestling in New York City and on Long Island, particularly, but not limited to, private schools.

Jim graduated from Martin Luther School in 1976, but not before setting many goals with the Varsity Wrestling team. He was named Most Valuable Wrestler by the Maspeth School. Our sport obviously mad a strong and lasting impression on Jim. Over the next 40 years, he would stamp his own brand of scholastic wrestling on the private school sector. In fact, the Independent Schools Wrestling Championship trophy, given every year at the Mayor’s Cup tournament, bears his name.

Jim began his coaching career at the Lexington School for the Deaf in 1979 while attending St. Johns in 1980 and became the varsity wrestling coach at Martin Luther High School in Maspeth in 1981. During a coaching career that spanned 22 years at Martin Luther, he had 35 NYS Private School Champions and 212 NYS place-winners. His teams won numerous Private School Athletic Association Championships and were Metropolitan School Champions from 2001 through 2003.

Jim founded the Private Schools Athletic Association in 1986 and has served as President and Wrestling Commissioner for the past thirty years. He was the impetus behind the creation of the NYS Private Schools Wrestling Tournament and the driving force in the development of the NYC Mayors Cup Tournament.

He has showcased his passion and skills at numerous wrestling events including: Beat the Streets, USA Wrestling tournaments, Grapple at the Garden and this year’s NCAA Championships held at Madison Square Garden.

Jim is a St. Stanislaus Hall of Fame Inductee, a Beat the Streets Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and has been named wrestling coach of the year a total of nine times with three different wrestling organizations. Although he has piled up numerous other awards, he has never been an individual seeking recognition or praise.

Jim has an arsenal of quality traits that have made a huge difference in the lives of countless young wrestlers. Perhaps his greatest attribute is his compassion and commitment to serve the disadvantaged. He served as the Coordinator for the YMCA weekend respite program for disabled children and adults for six years. He spent another six years as a volunteer New York State Special Olympics Coach. As a hands-on administrator, at every wrestling coaches meeting, he would speak and perform sign language simultaneously, so the Lexington School for the Deaf coaches didn’t miss a word. Jim is relentless in his commitment to enhancing a positive wrestling experience for the full spectrum of participants.

James R. Regan is truly a special person. We are pleased to welcome such an outstanding individual into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.