Barry Burtnett

It was fate that as a sophomore at Bedford High School, Barry Burtnett was cut from the basketball team. Fortunately, Ed Clark, Bedford’s assistant wrestling coach at the time, immediately saw the young Burtnett as a 95-pound grappler. This began Burtnett’s profession in wrestling - a career that has spanned 57 years. Burtnett has been involved with the sport in various capacities and has a lifetime of memories and achievements attached to his name.

   Art Grimm, Bedford’s assistant football and gymnastics coach, envisioned Barry as an educator after watching him on the mat as part of Bedford High School’s successful wrestling program. “Coach Grimm saw the qualities in me that made me well-suited for teaching. He changed my life.” Burtnett said.

   Barry won three District V Wrestling Championships and one regional runner-up before graduating from Bedford in 1957.

   After graduation, Grimm urged Barry to attend his alma mater, Lock Haven University. The school was a perfect fit and provided the training Burtnett needed to become a successful athlete, coach, clinician, and administrator. While at Lock Haven, Barry wrestled in the 157 pound weight class for four years and placed third in the conference tournament one time.

   Upon graduating from Lock Haven in 1961, Burtnett became the head wrestling coach at Dormont High School (Keystone Oaks). He revitalized the wrestling program and in his second year achieved a 14-2 record and coached Dormont’s first WPIAL Champion.

   In 1963, Burtnett became the head coach at Mechanicsburg High School and in five seasons, compiled a record of 50-17-1. It was here that Barry’s organization skills developed as he instituted the first youth program, formed a junior high wrestling program in the Harrisburg area, and developed the school’s first athletic training and student athletic trainers program.

   In 1968, Rider College, now Rider University, challenged him to come there to start a Division I Wrestling Program. At Rider, Burtnett compiled a record of 94-32-2 and his 1972-73 team won the MAC team championship. This was the first athletic conference championship earned by any athletic team at Rider. In 1973-74 the team finished 15-0-1, and became the first team to achieve an undefeated season.

   In 1978, Burtnett took a temporary leave from coaching wrestling to develop and direct the Rider Sports Medicine Program. He later co-founded the NJ Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He served as the Committee Chairperson and tournament director of four East Coast Conference NCAA Wrestling Qualifying Tournaments.

   In 2002, Barry was inducted into the Rider University Athletic Hall of Fame and recognized as “The Father of Rider Wrestling.”

   In 2006, Burtnett was inducted into the National Wrestling Fall of Fame, New Jersey Chapter.

Most recently Barry established a USA wrestling program at The Villages in Florida. He remains active in athletics by officiating at The Villages Charter School. He participates as a member of his church, serving on the board of trustees and the chairperson of the church building leadership team.

   Barry and his wife of 51 years, the former Judy Livengood, reside in The Villages, Florida. They have three children and six grandchildren.


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Class of 2011
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Class of 2011
Class of 2011

Bedford County Sports
Hall of Fame