Rick Edwards high school wrestling career began in 1966 when he was the first wrestler to step onto the mat and wrestle as a Spartan with a record of 47-4. Since that day, 54 years ago, the program turned into one of the most recognized wrestling programs in the state.
Within that time, the likes of Joe Cesari, Chris Edwards, Corey Fetterolf, and Rick Edwards have all coached the Spartans which added up to their 700 victories as of Wednesday, February 12th, 2020.
But along with the celebration of that night and 700 wins, the Spartans named their wrestling room after Coach Rick Edwards.
After a successful high school wrestling career, Edwards returned in 1974 as a teacher and coach and spent 33 years coaching students as part of the Spartan wrestling program.
After a successful high school wrestling career, Edwards returned in 1974 as a teacher and coach and spent 33 years coaching students as part of the Spartan wrestling program.
Of those 33, 18 years were as an assistant coach under Coach Joe Cesari. After Cesari, stepped down Edwards took over the program and as head coach for the next 15 years. As a varsity head coach, Edwards' recorded a record of 173 wins, 61 losses, and 1 tie. As an assistant or head coach, Edwards was responsible for 542 wins of the program's total 700.
Edwards was also responsible for 21 of the school district's 100 win club which includes his own son's Chris, Matt, and his grandson Mason. He had help coach 39 District XI Champions, 41 regional champions, and 10 of the Spartan's State Champions.
Edwards was also the head coach during the Spartans run to win the 1995 State Championship where he was selected as the 1995 State AA Coach of the Year.
Coach Edwards was then presented with the sign that will be hung in the North Schuylkill Wrestling Room bearing his name.
