John Storey '59 inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

John Storey ‘59 is currently recognized as VASJ’s head football coach. But his coaching roots go back much deeper to his days as the head wrestling coach for St. Joseph High School and VASJ from 1965 to 1991 where he led his teams to 204 total dual meet wins.

While coaching he led St. Joseph High School to two state championships and 11 individual state champions. He helped lead the Viking wrestling program to 22 consecutive years of state wrestling qualifiers. 

At an induction ceremony in Dublin, Ohio, Coach Storey was recognized for his tremendous impact on the sport of wrestling and his influence on the wrestling athletes he has coached. Several of his former wrestlers were present at the honors banquet -- a testament to his impact as their coach.

Coach John Storey '59 (middle) poses for a picture with his former wrestlers after being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Left to right: Bob Mullin '88 (current VASJ head wrestling coach), Bill Splete '90, Coach John Storey '59, Jack Muhall '72 and Tom Mulhall '69.

“The individuals being honored here today are indeed members of a great mission and legacy in our sport and in your state,” said Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lee Roy Smith. “They are not only heroes to the people they have impacted through their work in the sport and beyond, but are an inspiration to future generations.”

Storey received the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Ohio Chapter Lifetime Service Award and was one of ten inductees recognized that evening. He has also been named the Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year and the Lake County Coach of the Year.

 
Coach John Storey '59 (bottom right) poses with the 2015 National Wrestling Hall of Fame recipients.

“I’m appreciative of the honor,” says Coach Storey. “But it is really a tribute to all of the St. Joe’s wrestlers that have gone through the program. It is more about them.

“Those are the guys that won the matches. This honor is shared with all of them as well as their parents and other coaches.”

Coach John Storey '59 (middle) poses with his son, John Storey Jr. '84, wife, Linda, and
daughters Kelley Kowalski '89 and Kathy Brown at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame induction ceremony.