SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-24-21

10 wrestlers from South Carolina that inspired our state ...

... and influenced the SCMAT record book

Day #6 - Tom Borrelli

In the photo above, Tom Borrelli in his freshman year at The Citadel (1975-1976), front row far left.

Tom Borrelli was a two time State Placer while wrestling at Goose Creek High School in SC and would go on to a successful wrestling career at The Citadel with a record of 58-27-2.

Borrelli has built a dynasty in his 30 years as the Central Michigan University wrestling coach. He is the second-winningest active Division I wrestling coach behind John Smith at Oklahoma State.

Tom Borrelli bio - at Central Michigan University web site

Great article - Tom Borrelli took an unconventional path to becoming the head coach at Central Michigan

Tom Borrelli elected to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Great Video - The Starting Line Tom Borrelli: From Discipline to Dynasty

The Borrelli Coaching Tree (including Campbell wrestling coach Scotti Sentes)

SCMAT Exclusive article from 2008 - "Speaking of brothers, let's spotlight the Borrelli's"

The 1970's produced some of the most successful wrestling stories out of South Carolina, including Tom Borrelli. It was only our first decade of high school wrestling in SC, but we have seen in this "10 series" one of the wrestling greats in Coach Tom Borrelli.

As interesting trivia in the photo above, the late Coach Ken Shelton, a successful high school wrestling coach in Virginia, became an outstanding coach and educator at The Citadel. Coach Ken Shelton coached the LaPrad brothers, B.D. and Steve, during high school (Roanoke, VA) and encouraged both LaPrad brothers to take coaching opportunities in SC after college - B.D. LaPrad starting at Bishop England and then continuing his success at Irmo, Dutch Fork, Fort Dorchester and River Bluff. Steve LaPrad starting at Chester and going on to success at Summerville, before becoming AD and head football coach at Fort Dorchester. Coach Ken Shelton was not only an inspiration to Coach Tom Borrelli in his years at The Citadel, but his legacy still impacts South Carolina wrestling with a coaching tree that goes on and on.

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