Wrestling Greatness
GEORGE KOVALICK is regarded as the father of wrestling in the Ohio Valley. He earned that distinction through his passionate commitment to the mat sport, elevating it to an elite level.
Kovalick worked much of his coaching magic at Bridgeport High. He led the Bulldogs to the 1959 state wrestling team title. That notable achievement takes on added luster when noting the Bulldogs were the first team outside the Cleveland area to grab the brass ring.
Kovalick guided Bridgeport High to unparalleled mat success, leading the Bulldogs to seven OVAC tournament championships while also tutoring six individual state crowns.
He was also the initial recipient of the prestigious Mr. Mat Award presented annually at the OVAC Wrestling Tournament.
So it only stands to reason the highly regarded coach would be elected as a charter member of the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame officials did not have to grapple with Kovalick’s qualifications for enshrinement. He is synonymous with wrestling greatness.
The announcement was made by Bobby Douglas. That is fitting as Douglas is a Kovalick disciple and regarded as the greatest wrestler in Ohio Valley history.
Douglas is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and will be grandfathered into the Ohio shrine in the future.
After Bridgeport, Kovalick enjoyed more success in coaching at West Liberty and Bellaire High. In all, he coached for 28 years and also served as an athletic director.
Coach Kovalick died in 1984. His impact, however, is still being felt today, as reflected by his selection for the state shrine.