Billy Sheridan
Billy Sheridan
Team: Lehigh

      *BILLY SHERIDAN, Lehigh Coach took 15 years to win his first EIWA team title (1927), then won 10 of the next 13.  In his first 13 NCAAs, 13 wrestlers won 13 medals, over three times the league’s next best. Coaching 41 seasons, Billy ranks #1 in EIWA team titles (13 !) and owns LU marks for dual wins (222) and dual win streak—24, in 1932-34. He was 51-4 from 1928-34 and from 1931-40 his teams were Top 7 nationally six times (five top fives). His aura helped Lehigh host NCAAs five times between 1933-51, the nation’s most until 1993. In 1939, Billy and his team were featured in a film reel promoting wrestling in 5,000 RKO theatres nationally. His 1950 team wrestled the NYAC on WOR-TV Ch. 9, NY, a pioneer undertaking.

      Sheridan once officiated every bout at NCAAs, served as alternate coach for the 1936 Olympics and was the Pan Am team coach in 1951. He coached five Lehigh men who won six National AAU titles and three achieving Olympic alternate berths.  He was Director of the Bethlehem Boys Club, Chairman of the Recreation Commission and Manager of Athletics for Bethlehem Steel employee teams.  Coaching tennis, baseball and soccer, he led the 1917-18 BSC team to a national soccer title. He was a charter inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.