The legacy of the MacArthur High School wrestling program now proudly hangs on the walls of a wrestling ring that’s seen the highs and lows of victory and defeat since it began in 1995. Wrestling Coach Daniel Izzi wants current students to take pride in the tradition of success, hard work and pride that comes with being a Brahma wrestler.
“It’s really important to me and I think it’s important to our new wrestlers that they understand who we are, what we’re doing here and what it means to be a MacArthur wrestler,” said Izzi.
Honoring the former wrestlers and veterans who came through the MacArthur Wrestling program inspired him to create a Brahma Wrestling Wall of Fame and Wall of Heroes.
The Wall of Fame is a tribute to Coach Jerry McHugh, who coached wrestling at MacArthur from 1996 – 2010. The quote included on the board reads, “To be the best you have to outwork the best.” Izzi believes this embodies everything Coach McHugh brought to the program.
The Wall of Fame also includes the names of MacArthur wrestling District Champions, Regional Placers, State Qualifiers and State Champions.
The MacArthur Wrestling Wall of Heroes hangs in honor of William “Bill” Gillespie. Gillespie was a proud Army veteran who served during the Korean War and played a key role in bringing wrestling to MacArthur in 1995. Photos of former MacArthur wrestlers who went on to serve in the military are also on display with great pride.
Coach Izzi is an Air Force veteran himself, so it was important for him to find a way to pay tribute to the men and women who went from wrestlers to service members.
“Wrestling is more than just winning and losing matches,” said Izzi. “You play other sports - you don't play wrestling. It’s about developing young men and women and building a sense of character and a desire to serve others.”
