A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY MENTOR BILL GRANT

Reflecting on the long road to my current role championing the world’s greatest sport, I am reminded of where it all began: a middle school wrestling room in 1978. That first day taught me a definitive truth—wrestling isn’t for everyone. But for those who endure, it becomes an honest, unwavering constant.

Since the late 1970s, wrestling has been the cornerstone of my life. The sport’s rigorous discipline instilled in me a level of dedication and passion that is difficult to match elsewhere. On the mat, continuous challenges forge a unique, universal bond between teammates and competitors—a connection unlike any other in athletics. This mutual respect remains wrestling’s enduring hallmark, increasingly transcending geopolitical and cultural divides to unite a single, global community.

To be candid, if you had told me in 1978 that I’d eventually become a wrestling promoter and a writer for state and national publications, I would have laughed it off, claiming I simple wasn’t a writer. It is a strange irony how life’s unexpected detours can set us on a transformative path that completely redefines who we are for the better. 

My career in wrestling promotion traces back to the 1993 Monterey Clinic of Champions, where a chance meeting with Hall of Fame legend Bill Grant changed everything. What began as a simple conversation about the Bay Area wrestling scene evolved into an invitation to join the staff of his iconic publication, The California Wrestler Newsletter (aka, TCW).

Fast-forward to 2026: I am now shaping narratives and scaling brands beyond my wildest dreams, deeply honored to serve as a prominent voice for the wrestling community. This journey was made possible because Bill Grant opened a door I didn’t even know was there. It has been a privilege and an honor to work alongside Bill for more than a quarter-century, dedicated to the growth of our sport. It has been just over six years since Bill retired from promoting our great sport. I miss the great times we had working together promoting and highlighting the great sport that has defined many of us. For that, I am forever grateful!

If California wrestling had a Mount Rushmore, Bill Grant would undoubtedly be on it. As a dedicated advocate for the sport for decades, his impact is legendary. His credentials are highlighted by a milestone that still stands alone today: he remains the only coach in the history of the City Section to reach a top-five state ranking. In 1976, Grant led Oakland High to fourth place at the prestigious CIF State Championships, securing a legacy of excellence that remains unmatched.

Following a legendary career at Oakland High, Bill Grant established a local wrestling clinic that grew into the renowned Monterey Clinic of Champions. Over four decades-spanning the 1990s through the first nineteen years of the 2000s – it became one of the nation’s most prestigious wrestling institutions. The clinic concluded its historic run with its 41^st annual event upon Bill’s retirement in 2019. It stands as a unique fixture in American wrestling history, not only for its longevity but for hosting a literal “who’s who” of the sport. World-class clinicians included icons such as Dan Gable, Bruce Baumgartner, the Beloglazov Brothers (Sergei and Anatoly), Cael Sanderson, Kevin Jackson, Henry Cejudo, Rulon Gardner, and Jordan Burroughs, among many others. 

Looking back, I am profoundly grateful to Bill for opening a door to a world of opportunity I never knew existed. Since our initial meeting at the 1993 Monterey Clinic of Champions, my passion for the sport has only grown. It has been a privilege giving back to a community that has given me so much, and I eagerly anticipate the journey and challenges ahead as I represent the greatest sport in the world. 

BILL GRANT’S WRESTLING BACKGROUND

• Attended Foothill CC, San Francisco State (Div. II)
• Attended Cubberley H.S., Palo Alto (CCS)
• Coaching: Oakland, Pacifica, Roseburg (OR), Monterey, and Pacific Grove
• Produced numerous league, Central Coast Section, and CIF State Medalists
• Founder of the California Wrestler Newsletter (TCW)
• Founder of the Monterey Clinic of Champions (41 years)
• Bob Dellinger Media Award (recognized by the National Hall of Fame), 2023
• California Wrestling Hall of Fame, 2004
• National Wrestling Hall of Fame – CA Chapter (Lifetime Service), 2015 
• President of the California High School Coaches Association
• Team Leader – Team California (Sr. NHSCA Nationals)

Photo Credit: Al Fontes

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