Bergman named AAU’s national wrestling Coach of the Year

Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com

George Bergman is synonymous with Oak Harbor wrestling.
The Rockets, under Bergman’s leadership for the last 32 years, have built the program into one of the state’s finest.
For his efforts, Bergman was recognized as the 2023-24 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) National Coach of the Year, something he didn’t know was going to happen until he got to the Disney Duals annual awards banquet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “They had the agenda; (my name) was printed, and they had it printed on the other side of the room, and I saw my name was up there,” said Bergman. “I put two and two together. I’ve done enough banquets and spoken enough that I just spoke from the heart. I just kept it brief.
“Longevity had a lot to do with (winning the award) – being a head coach for a number of years. You do something and stick with it for a long time. We’ve had state placers and state champions build up the program. The first year, I was just trying to get through the year. (I credit my) assistant coaches – I’ve had a lot of good ones of the years – and I’ve been fortunate enough to coach a lot of good athletes.”
The AAU was founded in 1888 with the intent to promote and develop amateur sports and physical fitness programs. Today, it includes 900,000 members nationwide.
Oak Harbor athletic director Dan Hoover, who, like Bergman, has been with the district since the 1980s, reflected on Bergman’s commitment to the program.
“His love and dedication to the sport of wrestling (is impressive). He’s very dedicated, works extremely hard to do right by his kids and knows the sport inside and out,” said Hoover. “His dedication and knowledge makes him an extremely good coach. The number of kids that we have had come through the sport that are state qualifiers, and the numerous state champions that we’ve had have made Oak Harbor into one of the best programs in Northwest Ohio, if not the state. There’s the consistency of the program, and what he does to create good athletes, and good people as well. He not only teaches the sport, but the life lessons.
“Wrestling is one of those sports where it’s you, and there’s no one else to count on. He teaches self-grit, the fact that when kids get out on the mat, they’re confident in what they’re doing, and the fact that they understand what they’re doing. They take with them (the understanding) that things might not always go the way you want them to. Wrestling practice and a season, it takes a lot out of you.”
Bergman has taught physical education in the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District for the last 38 years and coached at the junior high for six years before taking over at the high school.
Wrestlers like his nephew, J.D. Bergman, a two-time state champion who went on to a successful career at Ohio State; C.J. Magrum, who also wrestled as a Buckeye; Kirk Tank; Keith Witt; Ian Miller and many others have starred on the biggest stage while winning state championships.
“Five wrestlers were college All-Americans — Ian, J.D. Luke Cramer, Jake Cramer and Wyatt Miller,” said George Bergman. “Luke was national champion at Ashland University, Jake placed twice (nationally) at Tiffin, and Wyatt was an All-American last year.
“I think the community has embraced the sport. We’re fortunate to have some great athletes that have wrestled for us. The credit goes to those kids; they’ve worked their tails off. Wrestling is a tough sport, and I think it requires you to make the commitment. It’s about the quality of kids that have put in the hard work, the work ethic that it takes to be successful.”
The community has steadfastly supported the team, starting with its biddy program, the Oak Harbor Amateur Wrestling Club, which has served as a feeder for the junior high.
One of the bonuses that came from coaching wrestling was Bergman’s chance to coach his sons, Zach, Alex and Nick.
Bergman’s wife, Cathy, who is currently the B-C-S superintendent, talked about George wanting to coach his sons in wrestling.
“It was interesting,” she said. “When I was pregnant with our first child, I said, ‘What are you do if (our children) want to play basketball?’ and he said, ‘They won’t know what a basketball looks like.’ He said, ‘I know we’re going to have girls,’ but he was elated to have three sons.’”
Alex Bergman finished fourth in Division II in 2012 at 152 pounds, just one year after placing sixth at 140. He would later go on to wrestle at the Naval Academy.
“Coaching his sons was probably the highlight. He loved every minute and spent so much time with them and built those relationships. They would tell you that he was their biggest cheerleader. He was always outside playing with the kids,” said Cathy Bergman said. “He was always so active in their lives. To be able to spend that kind of time with them, including Emma. He dove into softball with her, and it just continued. You can’t get anything better than that.”
Emma Bergman was a pitcher and right fielder who set a number of records during her time as a four-year starter for the Rockets. For four years, George Bergman was coach Chris Rawski’s right-hand man.
During their tenure, the Rockets won two district titles, and advanced to the Elite Eight in Emma Bergman’s senior season. She also played volleyball and was a great shooter for the basketball team.

George Bergman was the 12th of 14 children and seventh of eight boys, so one can imagine how competitive things were.
Like his son, Alex, Bergman, who graduated in 1978 from Cardinal Stritch, finished fourth at 155 pounds in the Class AA state tournament as a senior. He also played football, competing for the Cardinals when they were in the City League.
Bergman was inducted into the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Rockets have finished in the top five numerous times, highlighted by a second-place finish in 2008 in Division II to national power St. Paris Graham, and nearly won a state title in the dual team tournament in ’17.
Bob Bergman, who is the coach of the Genoa Comets and has won four state championships (two individual, two dual team), talked about the guidance he has received from his uncle over the years.
“His consistency, his work ethic are unparalleled,” Bob Bergman said. “We talk about wrestling a lot, I definitely lean on him a lot; he’s a huge resource. He’s been a great mentor.”