David Clelland

"I am most proud, not of the many victories during my career, but of the many young men who used wrestling as a stepping stone to a college education, and to those I may have influenced to a better life." - David H. Clelland. The late David H. Clelland had much to be proud of in an educational career that encompassed 33 years. Internal to that time he spent 23 years coaching in several sports; the most successful being wrestling, which he coached for 18 years. He was a 1946 graduate of Waynesburg High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball, and a 1951 graduate of Waynesburg College, where basketball went by the wayside. David began education as his career after serving two years in Korea. He returned to Waynesburg High and guided his first team to a 10-8 record in 1955. His next three teams went 40-0! He left Waynesburg after the 1959 season, moving on to Greenville High School where he coached for 14 seasons. His teams posted five undefeated seasons and in five other years suffered only one loss. In all, Coach Clelland's Greenville teams enjoyed a 171-14-1 career record. He coached 11 PIAA state finalists, with 5 winning state championships, including Robert D. Robbins. He coached 19 Regional champions, 27 District Champions, and 86 Section champions. David was a 1976 inductee in the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and a 1978 Inductee in the Mercer County Hall of Fame. Clelland was also a Free and Accepted Mason - Scottish Rite, and an active Shriner in the Zem Zem Temple. David retired from teaching in 1986 and passed away in 1994. In his honor, the Clelland Scholarship was created in 1995. It is awarded to the senior wrestler at Greenville, who will be continuing his education, and rewards good sportsmanship, good citizenship and a good work ethic, qualities that David H. Clelland embodied.

Awards:

Year
2001
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Pennsylvania

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