California State University, Bakersfield announced Friday that former coach Joe Seay had died. Seay, a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, was 80.
In a statement, President Lynnette Zelezy said “The entire CSU Bakersfield community is in mourning today over the loss of Coach Joe Seay, who launched the wrestling program in the earliest days of our history. Coach Seay built a dynasty, earning our university and city national prominence for the incredible series of championships his teams won."
Seay graduated from Kansas State University where he won three national wrestling titles. He coached wrestling at Bakersfield South High where he compiled a record of 177-12-2 and was named the national high school Coach of the Year.
After moving up to CSUB, Seay won seven Division II national titles and and put together a record of 189-56-2 over a 12 year span. He also coached at Oklahoma State and won back-to-back Division 1 titles.
"Coach Seay’s greatest legacy shines through in the stories told by the Roadrunners he guided and helped shape into fine young men. The example of excellence and grace set by Coach Seay is one we will always cherish and strive to emulate here at CSUB,” added Zelezy in her statement.
