BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Director of Wrestling Operations and former head wrestling coach Richard Wince was recently inducted into the Stark County High School Hall of Fame.

"I was surprised," Wince said. "I have been blessed. In this sport, there are so many classy, good people that I'm privileged to know. I've spent my lifetime just trying to help kids become good men, which is the most important part of my job. It is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and something I never expected with so many great, talented people from there."

Wince began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Perry High School in 1970. After spending 1971-73 as the assistant coach at Glenwood High School, Wince took over the head job at Glenwood High School in 1974. From there, he became the head coach at Hubbard High School from 1975-82. He left Hubbard for the same position at Glen Oak High School from 1983-89 before taking over the reigns at Gardner-Webb.

During his time on the high school circuit, Wince's teams won three East Ohio wrestling titles. In 1985, his team won the Perry Invitational Championship while also winning the first of back-to-back Hudson Invitational Championships. In 1986, Wince's squad was the Federal League co-champions. The talented team also brought home the Medina Invitational runner-up trophy that same season.

While in the high school ranks, Wince coached nine state qualifiers, three of which placed at the state championship. He garnered an impressive 140-58 record during his tenure in Ohio before taking over the Bulldogs' program in 1990.

During his time as head coach at Gardner-Webb, Wince was able to coach multiple student-athletes that made the NCAA National Championships. Wince was thrilled to be able to coach his two sons, Kenny and Erik. Erik Wince was the Bulldogs' first NCAA Qualifier.

Wince led GWU from a small NAIA competitor to its status as a mid-major program at the Division I level before moving into his current role with the team on July 10, 2007.