Dr. Joe Pedersen

Naperville

Contributor

Joe began wrestling at Arlington Heights High School for Hall of Fame and Grand Marshall Bob Emmons.  He wrestled at Lewis University, being captain of their first team. An automobile accident ended his competitive career, he turned to coaching, becoming their first assistant coach.

His teaching-coaching career began in Darien, where he became a junior high school teacher in Social Studies, English, Math and Physical Education.   He also began coaching wrestling when the Eisenhower building was established. Upon receiving his Master’s from De Paul University, he became the guidance counselor.   He also began officiating wrestling matches at the high school level.

Joe was named the "Educator of the Year" in 1982, by the United States Jaycees Organization.  In 1985, he became the principal of the Eisenhower Junior High School, along with the duty as Assistant Superintendent.  In 1987, Joe received his doctorate degree from Northern Illinois University.  He also served as the Director of Region VIII of the Illinois Principals Association.

He was involved in coaching, officiating, and administering to the needs of the IWCOA.  Joe was active in the membership of the IKWF and the state championships over 26+ years.  His teams have won over 400 dual meets, 11 regionals, 3 sectionals, and finishing as high as 8th in the state.  The school now competes in the IESA, where his teams have won regional and runner-up in the sectional.  He had 1state champion and 3 placewinners in the IESA.

In the IKWF, Joe has been Sectional Director for 12 years, Vice President for 4 years, President for two terms, Secretary, and Grand Marshall of the IKWF state tournament.  He initiated the "kid open", which received 1,537 entries at the mark in Moline.  Joe has been an IWCOA member since 1976, has been President-elect, President for two terms, selected a friend of wrestling and IWCOA "Man of the Year."  Joe established the "classic dual" with Indiana and has been on the Hall of Fame selection committee for 3 years.

He was an IESA Regional director for 2 years, a bench official for the IHSA state tournament for 18 years, and a wrestling official for 30 years with IKWF-IESA and IHSA.  He has officiated at the state individual finals and state dual championships twice. He assisted with the 1980 Junior National Freestyle team.

He has also served on the board of the IESA rules committee, and IHSA wrestling rules advisory committee.

Through 1996, he has coached for 30 years, developing over 60 place winners, 15 runner-ups and 2 state champions at both the IKWF and IESA levels.