PENDLETON — Wrestling took Jack Grimaldi from the East to Indiana years ago. On Feb. 23, it will take him to the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
Grimaldi is the second Pendleton Heights coach to be inducted in as many years. Head Coach Dave Cloud was honored last year, and now Grimaldi will have his service to area athletes recognized.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Grimaldi wrestled in New Jersey.
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One of his coaches’ friends was a scout for Indiana State University. Grimaldi earned a scholarship to ISU. He stayed in Indiana because his wife is from Muncie.
Wrestling in the 118-pound weight class, Grimaldi went to nationals twice while at ISU.
Later, Grimaldi was working as a stockbroker when one of his clients, who was an athletic director, asked him to help out at Northside High School in Muncie. That was 38 years ago. From there, Grimaldi has worked as a coach in both volunteer and paid capacities.
From Muncie, he went to Delta High School for five years and then came to Pendleton Heights to help. He knew both Cloud and former coach Eric Kriebel, who passed unexpectedly in 2013.
After a stint with the Arabians, Grimaldi had the opportunity to be the head coach at Alexandria-Monroe High School. He coached there for seven years and coached Luke Blanton, a state tournament placer for three years and a National High School Coaches Association All-American wrestler.
Grimaldi returned to Pendleton Heights and has been working in the program for the past 11 years.
“I love the sport. I love working with the kids to help them get better and learn that hard work pays off and carries them through their lives,” Grimaldi said.
“It’s also a way for me to give back, volunteering and helping in the community with kids hopefully getting them to understand the benefits and importance of a good hard work ethic.”
Cloud, Mark Barker, Rex Peckinpaugh, and other coaches and wrestlers were involved in the process of getting Grimaldi nominated for the HOF.
A modest man, Grimaldi said he never viewed himself in that way.
“I was really kind of shocked,” Grimaldi said. “Twelve years as a head coach is not a lot. I did some decent things and a lot of volunteering. I never saw myself as a Hall of Fame coach.
“It’s a great honor they felt I earned it, and I’m really grateful for that.”
According to Grimadi, high school wrestling hasn’t changed tremendously over the years, but he said the elite wrestlers are better than what they used to be.
“They’re able to compete in college and do well in college.
“When I was in high school, that was a rarity for someone to go from a senior in high school to a freshmen in college and do as well. They are better by far,” Grimaldi said.
The induction ceremony and dinner in Carmel is set for the Sunday following the state finals wrestling tournament.