Coach Chad Gerlach Inducted to Hall of Fame
Photo by Yvette Delaquito
By: Yvette Delaquito and Kelly Gerlach
Congratulations to Coach Chad Gerlach, who was inducted into the Alaska Wrestling Hall of Fame on December 18,2021.
For the past 19 years, Coach Gerlach has coached both the high school and junior high wrestling teams, as well as the spring club season. Mr. Gerlach was a State Champion for Glennallen in 1990 at 160 pounds. He wrestled at Northwestern College, where he placed 3rd at NCAA Wrestling Championships in 1991 and claimed a National Championship for NCAA at 167 pounds in 1992.
Glennallen Jr/Sr High Schools are very fortunate to have Mr. Gerlach's expertise as an athlete, coach and mentor to Glennallen's wrestlers.
As a teacher for 19 years at Glennallen Junior/Senior High School, Coach Gerlach prioritized not only athletics but academics with his team, providing tutoring during downtime on the road and requiring his athletes to strive for excellence in the classroom as well as on the mat.
While Glennallen's wrestling program was strong in the 80's, it was in the rebuilding stage for a couple decades.
"It wasn't until Chad Gerlach started coaching that Panther wrestling really started to take off again," says former Panther wrestler and two-time state champion, Aengus Bancroft.
And take off it did, bringing to the Panther high school wrestling program 32 state finalists and 20 individual state champions. The junior high wrestling program won eight middle school individual championships.
As the head coach of Copper River Wrestling Club, Gerlach coached multiple All-American finishers, Triple Crown state champs and multiple state champions at all age levels. The Panthers were named Division II team grand champions twice.
A few Glennallen wrestlers went on to wrestle at the college level, receiving scholarships and gaining life experience. Caden Gerlach was recently named Academic All-American at the Division 1 level for California Baptist University.
At the state and regional levels, Coach Gerlach's coaching skills did not go unnoticed. He was named conference/region Coach of the Year eight times, as well as being named Coach of the Year two times for the Alaska Wrestling Coaches Association and two times for the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
In addition to his impressive resume as a coach and wrestler, Coach Gerlach values giving back to the community with his wrestlers, frequently volunteering with this team to haul wood or supplies, serve at various community events or provide services to those in need.
As well as lessons learned from tough competition and service to others, Coach Gerlach also values “fun and memorable experiences “ for his teams. Some of the team's adventures include the waterslide and pool at Nikiski, exploring Castner Glacier ice caves, succeeding at finding the “most wonderful and unique” Turkish food in Seattle, and leaning over the city of Seattle on tilting glass benches at the Space Needle.
But perhaps the most poignant memories will always remain on the mat. As one Glennallen State Champion said, "Walking off the mat after winning State was the happiest moment of my life, not only because I had won, but because all of the work that Coach Gerlach had put into me had finally paid off. I didn't just win for me, I did it for him."
The Glennallen wrestling community would like to thank Coach Gerlach for his many years of selfless service to the team and the community and for the friendships and memories they will always have. Your generosity in sharing your skills as a coach, athlete, scholar and person will continue to influence many lives in the years to come.
