Chris Quigley

Class of 2016

Aurora | Illinois State University

Chris Quigley started wrestling as a youth in Aurora, Illinois while attending Simons Junior High. There his future wrestling talent was showcased when he completed four undefeated seasons in the mid-sixties.

While at Aurora East HS Chris wrestled for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach Roy Fowley. He qualified for the IHSA State Tournament and he would eventually earn a place in the East Aurora Tomcats Hall of Fame. The three year letterman, captained the 1968 team while winning the conference championship. During his junior year he wrestled freestyle at the AAU Open against Japan’s returning Olympic Silver medalist Mosoci Hotta, losing a close match. In 1986 Chris was the Junior Olympic Freestyle Runner Up.

A wrestling scholarship to Illinois State University followed in 1968 where Chris wrestled for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach Dr. Robert Koehler. Chris achieved the highest finish in Redbirds history when he advanced to the DI NCAA finals in 1972 at 126 pounds, losing a close 4-2 match to two-time NCAA champion Pat Milkavich (Michigan State). In route to the finals Chis defeated two-time champion Chris Black (Franklin & Marshall). He has been inducted into the Illinois State University Hall of Fame for his collegiate accomplishments. He was invited to the 1972 US Olympic Greco-Roman Trials advancing to the finals. The Redbirds Co-Captain also won the U.S. Open Freestyle Tournament in 1970, 72 & 74.

Chris began his coaching career in 1972 at Dolton Thornridge High School, continuing on to East Aurora in 1977 and Rich South (Sauk Village) in 1979. In 1984 Chris was named Head Coach at Aurora Central Catholic, a position he held until 1996. That year his alma mater East Aurora named him their Head Coach. From 2000 to 2004 he was the Head Coach at Hall High School in Spring Valley (IL).

In addition to his wrestling skills, Chris captained the 1967 East Aurora high school team football team. He also played Semi Pro football for the Calumet City Raiders from 1975-’77.

Chris has been an accomplished deep sea Diver, specializing in Recompression, Rescue, Dive Master and Assistant Instructor. Since 2008 Chris has been a fireman for the McNabb Fire Department in Putnam County.

An accomplished teacher at Romeoville High School, Chris taught Auto Mechanics, Body, Fender and Paint from 1981 until his 2005 retirement from education.