Wednesday, Sep 26, 2018
Gary Taylor receives nod from National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
by Rider Sports Information
Former Rider University Wrestling Head Coach Gary Taylor was honored with the Lifetime Service Award from the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum on Sept. 16.
Taylor, who earned the third most wins all-time in NCAA Division I wrestling history, received the award during a ceremony at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village in Plainsboro, N.J.
"It is a great honor for Gary and Rider to receive this prestigious award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame," says Rider Athletic Director Don Harnum. "Gary's career epitomizes what a school hopes for when its hires a coach — someone who can build a sustainable program that wins, develops, educates and graduates student-athletes, and one that brings positive recognition to the institution."
Taylor's illustrious career included 442 wins. He led the Broncs to 14 conference championships and was named conference Coach of the Year nine times. His teams were ranked nationally, year in and year out, and reached a high of No. 7 in the country. Under Taylor's tutelage, 173 Broncs were national qualifiers, while 17 earned All-America honors.
Upon Taylor's retirement that followed the 2016-17 season, John Hangey ’93, ’97 become Rider’s head wrestling coach — only the third in program history. Former Rider Wrestling All-Americans Chad Walsh and Ryan Wolfe are returning this year to serve as assistant coaches. The 2018-19 team is ranked No. 22 in the country by Intermat.