Inductees
Ray Wallace
Year: 2016
Gender: Male
About Ray:
After wrestling at Emerson High School in Gary, Indiana, where he was born and grew up, Ray wrestled at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he was a varsity letter winner with a record of 49-29. He also made the Dean’s List from 1965-68 for his academic achievements. Wallace coached at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove from 1970-75, with a dual match record of 147 wins and only two losses.
He coached three CIF Champions: Don Evans, Mike Burns and Joe Weltner. Ray coached with Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Del Schwartz. They combined their skills to make Pacifica High School one of the most outstanding programs in Southern California, producing many tournament championships. Pacifica was ranked Number One in the county by the Orange County Register. He started officiating in 1972, and he has been a wrestling official for over 40 years.
He has officiated CIF-Southern Section Division Championships from 1972-2012, and the CIF-SS Masters Meet 29 times. He has also officiated at 13 CIF State Championships. Ray also officiated at the college level, including the California Community College State Championships for nine years. He has been recognized as the Orange County Wrestling Official of the Year seven times, and he was selected as the California State Official of the Year in 2000. Wallace was one of the original founders of Tournament Masters, Inc.
This organization of coaches, officials and fans was created with the purpose of promoting wrestling throughout Southern California. During the school year they selected two excellent programs to highlight in a dual meet every year. TMI also directed the CIF finals each year. Ray served as the head official of these tournaments. Still an active member of the Orange County Wrestling Coaches Association, Wallace has served as President of the California State Wrestling Officials Association, the Southern California Wrestling Officials Association, and the Orange County Wrestling Officials Association. In recognition of his long-time contributions to wrestling in California, Ray was inducted into the Orange County Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2000, and then he was inducted into the California State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006.