GRAY SIMONS | SEVEN: Mat Town's Championship Era

Etched In Stone

Gray Simons finished his college career by setting a new standard in college wrestling. Seven national championships, college wrestling’s first four-time title winner in any division to go along with two Olympic appearances. The Olympic disappointment didn’t last long as Gray Simons returned to Mat Town to take over its proud wrestling program.

Simons was primed to lead the program to new heights, taking over as the program’s head coach after his distinguished competitive career. But could Simons build the Bald Eagles into a winner against the nation’s heavyweights or would something else stand in his way?

Episode 3: Mat Town’s Championship Era looks at Gray Simons’ return to Lock Haven.

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About Gray Simons

During his four years of collegiate competition at Lock Haven University, Gray Simons entered seven national tournaments. He won all seven, and six times was voted outstanding wrestler of the event.

Four years he reigned supreme at 115 pounds in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and all four years was chosen the NAIA's finest, an unparalleled achievement. Three times he won the University Division title in the NCAA and as a junior and senior was voted the outstanding competitor.

The only two defeats of his 93 collegiate matches came early in his freshman season. He then proceeded to win 84 in a row.

In the two years after his graduation, while stationed at the U.S. Military Academy, he continued to annex national championships in military, YMCA and AAU competition. He won the gold medal in the 1963 World Military Games.

Gray Simons twice represented his country in the Olympic Games, in 1960 and 1964.

On the mat, he was known as a superb technician, with quickness, skill and perfect execution of an infinite variety of moves. His abilities helped spread nationwide the "Granby Series" of moves developed by his Hall of Fame high school coach in Norfolk, Virginia, Billy Martin.

After the close of his competitive career, he served with distinction as a collegiate coach at Lock Haven, Indiana State, Tennessee and Old Dominion University, and never has suffered a losing season. Among his proteges were two NCAA champions and several All-Americans.

In both roles, as a wrestler and coach, this quiet man has set an outstanding example for young athletes everywhere.

As a wrestler of unchallenged achievement and a sportsman of the highest caliber, Elliot Gray Simons is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.