Coach Schulz honored for illustrious 47-year career
DAVIE Former wrestlers, family and friends celebrated the 47-year career of wrestling coach Ron Schulz on Thursday night at Nova High School.
The 68-year-old Schulz, who is retiring at the end of this season, has amassed more than 500 wins during his career, including the past 37 years at Nova High School. When he took over the Titans wrestling program in 1981, the school hadn’t won a match in three years.
“This is a very humbling experience,” said Schulz, a 2004 inductee of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Five years ago, they wanted to honor me by putting my name up on the wrestling room and at that time I was actively coaching, and I hadn’t died, so I told them it would be very disingenuous if they did that and
“I am looking forward to traveling and spending more time with the grandkids,” Schulz continued. “I am going to miss the kids the most. You build up a lifetime bond and relationship with these guys and many times you are like a father to them.”
Schulz was presented with a singlet, headgear and wrestling shoes in a shadow box, in addition to a tribute video and autographed photos by former wrestlers.
Known for his no-nonsense style and his trademark to wait until retired. “Woooo” impressions of professional wrestler Rick Flair, Schulz had three state champions, and 35 wrestlers place at the state tournament. While posing for a group photo after the ceremony, Schulz and the wrestlers did a final “woooo.”
Schulz even coached two Olympians — Ike Anderson (1988) and Steve Williams (1996).
Williams, 46, who started a church in North Carolina three years ago, flew down for the ceremony and shared stories of his early goings in the sport. Williams’ father passed away when he was just two years old and said Schulz was a role model and father to him when he reached high school.
“When I was a freshman, I didn’t know anything about wrestling,” said Williams, who graduated from Nova in 1988. “I used to go to the barber and watch professional wrestling on TV…the first time I was on the mat, I body slammed the kid and coach Schulz came running out and said, ‘no, you can’t do that.’ ”
Schulz began as an assistant coach at McArthur and spent seven years at Broward Community College before arriving at Nova.
Cypress Bay wrestling coach Allen Held, who wrestled for Schulz as a 140-pounder at Broward Community College in 1979 and 1980, praised Schulz.
“This is awesome,” Held said. “Ron is an icon, not only in Broward County but in the state of Florida. No matter what school or team they were on, he organized trips and he is Broward County wrestling.”
Schulz’ longtime assistant Fritz Dorisca will take over the program.