Hontz gets the call from the Pa. Wrestling Hall of Fame
He’s built himself an extensive resume’ in the sport of wrestling, both as a competitor and coach.
Over the past 40 years, Tom Hontz has experienced success at the highest levels of high-school and collegiate competition. He’s been a coaching fixture in Pennsylvania’s District 1 for close to three decades — first at Upper Perkiomen, and currently at Pope John Paul II — with more than 300 victories to his credit.
He’s also been enshrined in a number of Halls of Fame in recognition of his prolific involvement in the sport. Another honor will be presented Hontz when he’s inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Sunday, May 19, 2019.
Hontz and nine other wrestling luminaries will be honored during a banquet and induction ceremonies in the State College area. The site for the event has been changed to the Mountainview Country Club in Boalsburg.
A 1985 graduate of Quakertown High School and a 1989 graduate of Duke University, Hontz was a fouryear starter in wrestling at Quakertown, where he compiled a 111-11-2 career record.
At Duke, Hontz was a two-year starter and achieved all-ACC status in 1988. He fashioned a 41-18 record over his first two seasons and envisioned trips to nationals the next two years, but injuries changed his plans. Hontz’s junior year, in which he finished 13-3, was shortened by shoulder surgery; and his senior season ended before it began due to a serious knee injury.
Hontz became the head wrestling coach at Upper Perkiomen High School in 1990. Serving in that capacity for 24 years, he led Upper Perk to 10 Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) championships, six District 1 Dual Tournament championships, nine Section II championships, five District 1 titles and five Southeast Regional championships.
In 2006, his team was the PIAA Class AAA Team Duals champion, and Hontz was named the PIAA Coach of the Year.
Hontz was named PAC’s Coach of the Year 10 times, and District One Coach of the Year five times. His overall record at Upper Perkiomen was 341-184-1, and he coached 71 sectional champs, 29 district champs, 18 regional champs and 23 state medalists, including four state champions.
In 2014, Hontz resigned as the wrestling coach and took on the role of head football coach at Upper Perkiomen. He returned to the area’s coaching fraternity in 2016, taking over the mat program at Pope John Paul II High School.