Rich Skelnik

Class of 2014

East Leyden

Rich Skelnik wrestled for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach Chuck Farina at East Leyden from 1966 to 1969. He is a member of East Leyden’s Wall of Fame lettering in football, track, cross-country and baseball. A four-year varsity wrestler he won the 1967 IHSA Sectional Championship.

At the collegiate level Skelnik attended Triton Junior College (River Grove, IL) graduating in 1972 while posting a 42-11 record. He was named Team Captain for that season as well as a two-time Academic All-American (1972 & 1974). Skelnik also played soccer at Triton during the 1971 season. He also wrestled at the NCAA DI level for Eastern Illinois (Charleston) and had a 51-19 combined collegiate record.

As a coach, every coach that Skelnik wrestled for or coached with is in the IWCOA Hall of Fame, Farina, Art Kraft, Hop Pinter, Butch Diewaldo and Tom Flanghan. Skeknik was the SICA Conference Assistant Coach of the Year in 1977.

Skelnik is an accomplished wrestling official who has worked one NCAA National Championship, and five Midlands championships. In addition he was an IHSA official for 12 years. Skelnik was named the floor administrator at the IHSA State Finals from 1976 to 2001.

A resident of Chandler, Arizona, Skelnik is currently the Director of Talent Acquisition and Community Investment for General Dynamics. He received in 2006 General Dynamics first ever President’s Award for Exceptional Hiring Practices, University Relations Program and community Involvement.

Skelnik’s hobbies include walking/jogging, golf, tennis, bike riding, reading fund raising, and music and sports trivia.