SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 11-29-07
National Wrestling Hall of Fame SC Chapter year 1,
... I'm still laughing, but find out why!
2007 NWHOF Inductees from SC (left to right)
Tom Ellenberger - "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Award
Steve LaPrad - "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Award
Colonel James Roberts - "Outstanding American" Award
Jim Barnes - "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Award
Let me get the laughter part out of the way first ... I really didn't go to the May 6, 2007 Banquet
thinking I would be laughing about the stories months later. It just happened that way. As Brent
LaPrad would describe, you get Summerville and Rock Hill wrestlers and coaches all in the same room
and the instinct to start sweating just kicks in. Brent was slightly sweating during his introduction
for his father and broke the room into laughter with his explanation of being trained that way since
the early days of the Summerville-Rock Hill rivalry. Coach Steve LaPrad continued the "wit" with
his story of a 1979 state final's match, his first year of coaching at Summerville, in which his
wrestler lost a closely contested match and as he went to kick the chair after the match was over,
his shoe flew off and landed far away in the middle of the mat ... of course the visual of Coach LaPrad
retrieving his shoe was enough to have everyone laughing again. The night included many of these
stories from all Inductees, but those two stories to me stood out and still have me laughing
when I think about the Banquet. The first Hall of Fame Banquet was a night to be remembered
for years to come. The facilities were incredible, attendance packed the room, the speeches
were inspirational and the leadership of our Chairman for the NWHOF SC Chapter, Coach Eddie Cook,
was outstanding. And with retired UNC-Chapel Hill wrestling Coach Bill Lam guiding the inaugural
ceremonies as the National Representative from the NWHOF, the evening exuded the fact that this
was the honor of being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall Of Fame, not just a state honor.
Thanks to the many coaches and volunteers that made this first year a success!
Now, let me tell you a bit about each of the 2007 Inductees into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame:
Colonel James Roberts - "Outstanding American" Award - Wrestling for St. Andrews High School,
James Roberts was the 1969 State Champion at 175 lbs. and the 1970 State Champion at 188 lbs.
In addition to two individual State titles, James also was a part of the two team titles St. Andrews
won in 1969 and 1970, the first two years of sanctioned wrestling in South Carolina. James went on
to play Football and Wrestle at The Citadel where he was captain for both sport's teams in 1974.
During the '80's while located in SC, James volunteered as a wrestling coach and a wrestling Official,
putting many hours back into the sport. Colonel James Roberts became the Commander of the 914th Airlift Wing
as well as the installation commander for the Niagra Falls Air Reserve Station. He was responsible for
the daily operations of a base with more than 2,000 Guard and Reserve members who have been actively
involved in the Global War on Terror, both at home and overseas. He credits many of the lessons he
learned as a wrestler as life-shaping experiences. He is now retired and lives in Charleston.
Coach Tom Ellenberger - "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Award - Coach Tom Ellenberger built
the Rock Hill wrestling program into a powerhouse during the late '70's capping a state championship
season in 1980. When Coach Ellenberger stepped down at Rock Hill after the 1980 season he turned
the program over to Coach Jim Barnes and a state record was established with 23 consecutive years
finishing as the #1 or #2 team. Rock Hill accomplished this incredible streak from 1978-2000
between Coach Ellenberger and Coach Jim Barnes.
His Top team placements included:
Team State Champions - 1 time ('80)
Team State Runner-ups - 2 times ('79, '78)
Coach Steve LaPrad - "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Award - Coach Steve LaPrad finished his
SC coaching career in 1993 with a record of 211-8 at Summerville. He coached wrestling at Chester
high school for 1 year (1978) and coached wrestling at Summerville for 15 years (1979-1993).
Coach LaPrad wrestled in high school while in Roanoke, Virginia and also wrestled in college at
UNC-Pembroke and was a two time All-American while compiling 108 college wins. During his coaching
career at Summerville he was also an NCAA Official. He is currently the head football coach and
Athletic Director at Fort Dorchester high school.
His Top team placements included:
Team State Champions - 5 times ('93, '92, '88, '87, '81)
Team State Runner-ups - 6 times ('91, '90, '89, '86, '85, '82)
Coach Jim Barnes - "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" Award - Coach Jim Barnes finished his
SC coaching career in 2000 with a record of 415-23. He coached wrestling at Union high school
for 3 years (1971-1973), at Airport high school for 7 years (1974-1980) and at Rock Hill high
school for 20 years (1981-2000). Coach Barnes wrestled in high school while in Uniontown, PA
and played football while at Appalachian State University. He is currently in Charlotte, NC
as a teacher/coach.
His Top team placements included:
Team State Champions - 17 times ('00, '99, '97, '96, '95, '94, '91, '90, '89, '86, '85, '84, '83, '82, '78, '77, '76)
Team State Runner-ups - 8 times ('98, 93, '92, '88, '87, '81, '75, '73)
And for all interested in the photo highlights of the 1st National Wrestling Hall of Fame
South Carolina Chapter Banquet, here are some pictures from this year's Banquet:
Marriot banquet room - Year 1 of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame SC Chapter Banquet
Jim Barnes and family - prior to dinner
Colonel James Roberts dinner table enjoying the banquet
Tom Ellenberger dinner table enjoying the banquet
Bill Lam former UNC-Chapel Hill Head Wrestling Coach and NWHOF Representative for State Chapter Programs
Greg Webber introductary speaker for Colonel James Roberts
Colonel James Roberts speaking during the ceremony
Colonel James Roberts and Bill Lam with award presentation
Tim Ellenberger introductary speaker for Tom Ellenberger
Tom Ellenberger speaking during the ceremony
Tom Ellenberger and Bill Lam with award presentation
Brent LaPrad introductary speaker for Steve LaPrad
Steve LaPrad speaking during the ceremony
Steve LaPrad and Bill Lam with award presentation
Jerry Honeycutt introductary speaker for Jim Barnes
Bill Lam and Jim Barnes during the introduction
Jim Barnes speaking during the ceremony
Jim Barnes and Bill Lam with award presentation
Eddie Cook and Bill Lam - Coach Cook is the Chairman for the NWHOF SC Chapter
Colonel James Roberts table of photos/stories
Steve LaPrad table of photos/stories
Steve LaPrad table 2 of photos/stories
Jim Barnes table of photos/stories
Tom Ellenberger and friends after the banquet
Rusty Hamilton and Colonel James Roberts after the banquet - Coach Hamilton was the St. Andrews wrestling coach in '69 & '70
Jim Barnes and friends after the banquet
2007 NWHOF Inductees from SC - Tom Ellenberger, Steve LaPrad, Colonel James Roberts, Jim Barnes
Hopefully in this SCMAT exclusive article for 2007-2008 the history of SC wrestling is defining itself as
an exciting past with a future awaiting more greatness.
These historical articles at SCMAT will hopefully provide accurate facts though we may always have missed
some data at some point. If you notice a correction, addition or just want to comment please send a reply
to scmat@hotmail.com
thanks,
Mark Buford