Icon inducted into Hall of Fame
Icon inducted into Hall of Fame
MOSES LAKE — Do you know John Wagner? Do your kids know Wags?
Wagner has been a coach in Moses Lake for more than 40 years; imparting his wisdom and knowledge to athletes on the football field, wrestling mat and with the throwers on the track team.
"John Wagner is an icon in the community," said Dick Deane. "In all his years coaching he has never asked for anything but has always been willing to help."
After many years of being on the waiting list, Wags is going to be inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his work with Moses Lake's long and storied program as an assistant coach. He is only the second assistant coach to be inducted.
"It was really a surprise," said Wagner. "It is an honor to be nominated. I was surprised they would choose an assistant coach because I was never a head coach but I think I just out lasted every one else."
Wagner has been an assistant coach for the Chiefs wrestling team since Gary Frey took over the program in 1960. Workouts, detailed journals and personal experience gained coaching have been tricks of the trade for Wagner since his first year coaching.
The rest is Moses Lake High School wrestling history. Wags has been a part of the team for 14 state titles and 40 top-ten finishes.
Wagner's road to the hall of fame was not direct and has included many milestones. His senior year of high school was interrupted by the Korean War, during which Wagner served in the U.S. Army special forces.
Upon his return from Korea, Wagner married his wife of 50 years, Barbara. He then enrolled at Washington State University where he walked on to the football team and acted as the head coach for the tennis team.
Bridgeport High School was Wagner's first stop in coaching and educating. While at Bridgeport High School Wags coached football, baseball, basketball, organized a sixth grade girls basketball program and helped build the first track and program. All of this work with athletics was above and beyond his work as a teacher, play director and bus driver.
During his tenure coaching at Bridgeport High School, Wagner's teams combined for 68 wins and 12 losses, two league championships and two third place finishes in league in two years' time.
Moses Lake was the next stop for Wags and, after settling here, he never left. Outside of his coaching duties, Wagner taught special education, physical education and science.
Wagner has also been a fixture in the Mat Muscle program, volunteering for 15 years as a coach. He also organized a "Lift-a-Thon" to earn money for the building of a co-ed training and weight room and a special therapy physical training center at Moses Lake High School. The first day of the event raised $5,000. When the high school was remodeled the rooms initially envisioned by Wagner were a central part of the athletic and physical education departments requirements.
Along with his incredible service to the teams he has helped coach, Wags has become a part of Moses Lake High School athletics because of his unwavering support of the programs. He can always be counted on to be a part of the sidelines at every game, match and meet.
"It's very humbling and I hope I can measure up after being inducted," said Wagner. "It is such an outstanding organization and I would like to add something to the program."
Wagner is being inducted into the hall of fame at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
Of his years of service Wags had this to say: "I feel like an 18-year-old, like I've never grown up and I'll coach until I feel like I'm not making a difference. As long as I enjoy and look forward to it and can be a contributor there's no limit to how long I'll coach."
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