A high school coach is judged not only by the victories he records, but even more by his effect on the lives of young men entrusted to his care. Henry Boresch was an all-time winner by either standard.

The "founding father" of high school wrestling in New Jersey, he launched the sport at Newton High School in 1926, on rough coco-fiber mats tied together with pieces of string and covered with rugs. Wrestling programs now extend to hundreds of schools in the Garden State.

Boresch retired in 1964 after 38 years, with 245 victories, 38 defeats and eight draws, an .856 percentage. He registered 11 state high school team championships, 76 individual titlists and 13 undefeated seasons.

Throughout his tenure, he was known for teaching values, sportsmanship and maturity, and helping prepare hundreds of young people for their future lives. He tempered discipline with humor and stressed hard work, honesty, loyalty and fair play.

Among his best-known wrestling proteges were NCAA champion Harry Lanzi, Hall of Fame coach-contributor Joe Scalzo, highly acclaimed Penn State coach Rich Lorenzo; National AAU heavyweight champion Dick Vaughn and three-time Eastern titlist Mike Perone. Many of his wrestlers became successful high school and college coaches. But his first wrestling captain is a medical doctor, and others entered such professions as professor of biology, attorney at law, medical therapist or steel company executive.

Boresch was an outstanding wrestler as a youngster, winning five National YMCA titles at 115 and 121 pounds as well as the 1928 Olympic trials. He was disqualified from the Olympic team by the narrow standards of the times because, as a coach, he was considered a "professional."

For his leadership in establishing the sport of wrestling in his state, and for his lifetime of contributions to the growth of young men into the leaders of today's world, Henry Louis Boresch is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.