Hall of Fame
Rich Beard came to the university in 1967 from Ottawa (Ill.) High School. As a freshman on the Bulldog wrestling team, he amassed an impressive 12-0-1 dual record and was the heavyweight champion at the MIAA tournament. He then posted a 21-9 record and collected All-American honors as a sophomore in 1967-68, finishing fourth in the NCAA championships. A year later, he rolled up 21 straight wins, a new school record, and did not lose a match until the second round of the national tournament. As a senior, he led the Bulldogs to a 22nd-place finish in the NCAA championships and came in sixth in the heavyweight division, claiming All-American laurels for the second time in his career. Mr. Beard had a 22-6-2 record than season. During his final three years as a Bulldog wrestler, he compiled a 64-16-2 mark. He was a three-time conference champion. Mr. Beard coached the Bulldog team from 1974-76, while working toward an M.A. degree. In 1976 he moved to the St. Louis area, where he has taught and helped coach football, wrestling and track. Mr. Beard passed away in November of 2024.
