2008 Woodie Awards
Former wrestler recalls life on the mat
By Stephanie Gladish
Issue date: 12/2/05 Section: Sports Extra
Not many people believe college athletics will have a great impact on their future.
Bill Shuffstall falls into that category.
Shuffstall said he never thought wrestling at then Slippery Rock State College would help him get to where he is today.
Shuffstall had a passion for wrestling his entire life, and landed a scholarship to Slippery Rock State College. Shuffstall joined the team in 1970. He was an All-American wrestler at the Rock in 1974 and 1975. He finished his career at SRSC with an overall record of 94-28-2. But his record didn't come easy.
Shuffstall put in long hours and hard work to become an All-American. The wrestling season lasted seven months-preseason started in September and the season-ending tournaments were in late March. The practices and workouts were very disciplined and structured. That routine helped him improve not only on the mats, but in the classroom as well.
"The discipline of working out every day and focusing in practice was a break from life," Shuffstall said. "In many ways I owe my college education to wrestling at the Rock and coach Powell. The team and sport kept me connected to the university."
Shuffstall looked to his coach as a mentor while he was a student at the Rock. Powell pushed him to be better than he thought he could be, both academically and in wrestling. Shuffstall said Powell never let him give up. No matter how tired he may have been or if something seemed unachievable, Powell continued to push him until he have it his all.
This helped Shuffstall reach his accomplishments on the mat and graduate with honors.
Following graduation, Shuffstall found a career in economic and community development education at Penn State University, where he has worked for 26 years. The knowledge he gained while at the Rock, on and off the mat, helped him become a stern leader and able to better educate and convince people of the information he is conveying to them.
"Because of the education I received at the Rock, I was able to land a satisfying career," Shuffstall said. "I've been able to transfer the processes and skills I learned both on and off the mat to help community leader's work through issues such as solid waste management, community planning, economic development, local government finance and increasing leadership capacity in rural Pennsylvania."
Shuffstall is currently working for the University Park campus developing and leading cooperative extension programs.
"Without wrestling," Shuffstall said, "I wouldn't be where I am today."
Bill Shuffstall falls into that category.
Shuffstall said he never thought wrestling at then Slippery Rock State College would help him get to where he is today.
Shuffstall had a passion for wrestling his entire life, and landed a scholarship to Slippery Rock State College. Shuffstall joined the team in 1970. He was an All-American wrestler at the Rock in 1974 and 1975. He finished his career at SRSC with an overall record of 94-28-2. But his record didn't come easy.
Shuffstall put in long hours and hard work to become an All-American. The wrestling season lasted seven months-preseason started in September and the season-ending tournaments were in late March. The practices and workouts were very disciplined and structured. That routine helped him improve not only on the mats, but in the classroom as well.
"The discipline of working out every day and focusing in practice was a break from life," Shuffstall said. "In many ways I owe my college education to wrestling at the Rock and coach Powell. The team and sport kept me connected to the university."
Shuffstall looked to his coach as a mentor while he was a student at the Rock. Powell pushed him to be better than he thought he could be, both academically and in wrestling. Shuffstall said Powell never let him give up. No matter how tired he may have been or if something seemed unachievable, Powell continued to push him until he have it his all.
This helped Shuffstall reach his accomplishments on the mat and graduate with honors.
Following graduation, Shuffstall found a career in economic and community development education at Penn State University, where he has worked for 26 years. The knowledge he gained while at the Rock, on and off the mat, helped him become a stern leader and able to better educate and convince people of the information he is conveying to them.
"Because of the education I received at the Rock, I was able to land a satisfying career," Shuffstall said. "I've been able to transfer the processes and skills I learned both on and off the mat to help community leader's work through issues such as solid waste management, community planning, economic development, local government finance and increasing leadership capacity in rural Pennsylvania."
Shuffstall is currently working for the University Park campus developing and leading cooperative extension programs.
"Without wrestling," Shuffstall said, "I wouldn't be where I am today."
