CHAMPIONS NEVER forget their roots.

The Ohio Valley has been home to many individuals who have went on to achieve athletic greatness. Bridgeport High School takes a backseat to no one as the Bulldogs can claim a handful of alumni as hall of famers at various levels.

One of the foremost is Bobby Douglas.

The Blaine native is synonymous with prep, collegiate and Olympic wrestling. He has few, if any, peers when it comes to drawing wresting respect.

His accomplishments are staggering. He was the first black selected for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Douglas was the first black state champion in Ohio prep grappling annals, a five-time national champion and a two-time Olympic trials champion.

His success continued to escalate after he retired his singlet.

Douglas was just as impressive as a coach. He enjoyed great success as head coach at both Arizona State and Iowa State, including capturing the ultimate — a national championship. The 1961 Bridgeport High grad has helped coach the U.S. Olympic team on five occasions.

Douglas has now been chosen to be the developmental coach of USA Wrestling.

With such an overstuffed resume of success, it would have been easy for Douglas to have bigger concerns than the Ohio Valley. His stature, however, goes far beyond the mat. He is just as highly regarded for giving back.

That is again being reinforced today when Douglas visits Riesbeck’s store in Bridgeport for a book-signing in conjunction with his latest release.

Prior to that at 1 p.m., however, Douglas is giving back to the community in a HUGE way. The mat legend is donating his medals from the Barcelona Olympics to the store. He is doing so in order that they would be available for Ohio Valley residents to see.

Douglas admits that he had a lot of help along the way. He always kept the Ohio Valley in his heart as reflected by today’s selfless donations.

Bobby Douglas was a champion on the mat. He is forever one of the Ohio Valley’s favorite sons.