Gabriel Inducted Into National Wrestling Hall Of Fame Beloved Coach Shares Honor With Former Assistant By Sherrie Norris For years, Steve Gabriel served not only as a beloved teacher and coach in Watauga County, but as a father figure to many of his students and athletes. Sammy Critcher remembers, as one of Gabriel’s championship wrestlers, how the coach let the older boys use his personal vehicle to take the others home after practice. “He was just like a daddy to all of us.” Critcher’s memories are just a few of many that could be shared of the selfless man who made an incredible impact upon many young lives during his illustrious career. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Steve Gabriel was nominated for placement in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, and inducted into the coveted position on Sunday evening, May 16, 2004. Inductees for 2004 into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, posing in their new green jackets: left to right Joe Jones, Frank Rader, J.W. Welborn, Jerry Winterton, Bob Mauldin, Steve Gabriel. Nearly one-hundred family members, friends, former coaching staff and athletes gathered in his honor on “Hall of Fame Day” for the ceremony at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. Gabriel was one of six inducted, ironically, but not surprisingly, along with one of his own former wrestlers who returned later as his assistant coach at ASU, Watauga native, J. W. Welborn. Known to many as John, Welborn went on to establish and build a strong wrestling program at East Carolina University, for which he was honored on Sunday. Gabriel is best remembered, perhaps, for his contributions as a math teacher, football, wrestling and baseball coach at Appalachian High School from the early fifties through the mid-sixties, with the exception of two years when he served in the US Navy and the one year he taught in Hickory. Gabriel founded the Appalachian High School wrestling team and started a winning tradition in high school wrestling. Under his leadership, the team never lost a dual meet. They finished with a 140-0 record for the 13 years of the sport’s existence, setting a national record for the most consecutive wins, which has since been broken, but may still be a state record. “We did something no other school has done. We retired unbeaten,” Coach Gabriel stated. When the final count was taken, Appalachian High School boasted a grand total of 54 state champions, many of who were among the special guests at Coach’s ceremony last week. After the end of an era as Appalachian High School closed its doors, Gabriel joined ASU as a wrestling coach, financial advisor and a P.E. instructor. During his nine years of coaching at the university, he compiled an impressive 92-21 record in dual match competition and was responsible for bringing Appalachian its first National Tournament during the 1970-’71 season. The NAIA wrestling tournament under Gabriel’s direction was described by many of the participating coaches as “the best ever.” We are told Gabriel’s team “didn’t do so bad, either,” finishing tenth out of the 140 teams. NAIA’s All-American, Bruce Schlegel, one of Coach Gabriel’s many outstanding wrestlers, finished second. Steve Gabriel is credited as “a major contributor in the building of one of the largest and most prominent youth wrestling camps in the nation, which is still considered one of the finest.” Gabriel accepted a full-time position as the university’s Financial Director, serving from 1974-1989, in addition to teaching recreational dance and racquetball. He thought it was important for his students to meet the administration “in a different light,” on a personal level, which in turn, gave him a chance to get to know his students better. In 1987, Gabriel was inducted into ASU’s Athletic Hall of Fame and upon retirement in 1989, following 37 years of state employment, he was given the Governor’s Award for Excellence. However, Gabriel’s retirement did little to diminish his involvement with ASU and its students; his involvement with the university and the community in general continued for many years. His dance instruction continued at ASU, as well as throughout Watauga County; he loved calling square dances and did so on many occasions. As a member of Boone United Methodist Church, he served in numerous capacities, including as member of the board of trustees, superintendent of the youth department, member and president of the Methodist Men’s Club. He served as president, vice-president and secretary of the Boone Jaycees, and also as president of the Optimist Club for two years. He was on the Little League Board for 14 years, coached little league and football for 16 years, played church league softball for 7years, and was a Boy Scout Master. Gabriel graduated from Lincolnton High School, where he was respected as a student, president of his freshman class, student government representative and vice-president, in addition to Who’s Who In American High Schools. Very active in sports and other extra-curricular events, he was the recipient of the Block Smith Sportsman Trophy; played football and voted to All-Western Conference in 1948; played basketball, baseball and was a golden glove boxer. He later fought one professional fight, which ended in a draw. From 1949 – 1952, he came to Boone as a student at Appalachian State Teachers College, where he excelled in many areas. He was “Most Popular,” received the coveted title of “Mr. Appalachian,” “Friendliest” of his senior class. A member of the Physical Education Majors Club, member and treasurer of Men’s “A” Club, he was an outstanding football player during his entire four years at ASU, lettering two years as the starting quarterback. He wrestled four years, (40-4-1 record), lettered three years, NCAAU Wrestling Champion two years. He was a Teague Award nominee and included in Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges. He received his BS degree in Mathematics and Physical Education, and his Masters in Education and Mathematics. In nominating Gabriel for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, former students, co-workers, family members and friends had much to say about him. “When ASU students were asked about persons who had made a difference in their lives, Steve Gabriel was one of the first persons they named,” stated Barbara Daye, class of ’59 and retired ASU faculty member. “He’s a living saint! Anyone who has met Steve Gabriel can say they have seen an angel. They don’t make hearts as big as his anymore,” said Harry Williams, class of ’86. Gabriel is not only respected at ASU and the surrounding community, but also received admiration and recognition throughout North Carolina as an outstanding financial aid administrator, educator, and coach. In financial aid, we are told that “two of many notable trademarks were his uncanny ability to find aid where no one else could, and his deep personal commitment to the students he helped.” Mr. Gabriel took personal interest in each student and did everything in his power to help each one. This personal interest, his caring and working with individuals set him apart, and not only as a financial aid director, but as a person, as well. At the 1989 Annual NC Association of Financial Aid Administrators, Mr. Gabriel was honored/roasted good-naturedly by his colleagues, and was the first recipient of a special award given by the Learning Assistance Program. His daughter, Karen Morgan, shares with the Mountain Times, “My father has been a wonderful role model, not only for his children, but for many young children and students. His patience, love, caring and understanding have guided his children, along with countless other young individuals, to give life the best that had to offer. His excitement and enthusiasm in whatever he did motivated everyone around him. As former ASU wrestler, Jim Whitmer, said, ‘He, (Coach Gabriel) was the type of guy who didn’t have to say a whole lot and you wanted to work hard for him.’ As his kids, we would beam with pride when someone found out that we are Steve Gabriel’s kids. It was as though we were considered golden to be related to such an incredible person. I know that when we were little, nothing meant more to us than to make our father proud by doing our best at whatever we did. He has been a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.” Last year, Gabriel was inducted into the first ever Watauga County Sports Hall of Fame, an honor that Karen says, “Has meant a lot to him and to his family.” Due to a progressive decline in health, Gabriel’s son, Richard, assisted in the acceptance of this most recent and distinguished award on Sunday at Chapel Hill “Dad would like to thank all of you for taking the time to come here today. It is humbling, overwhelming and heartwarming for him to see this kind of support” He added that his father “wanted to thank all of his former wrestlers and colleagues who enabled this award to happen. “The one thing he continues to say is, ‘I could not have received this honor if I had not had such great people surrounding me.’” The younger Gabriel added, “Dad credits his wrestlers, his staff and his coworkers for their time, work ethic and their care and determination to succeed. Dad credits his family for instilling his strong values, his caring nature, and his respect for others . . .Being honored and receiving awards has always been difficult for Dad because he has spent his life helping others to accomplish their goals. Dad feels that all the personal attention and commitment he gave to his wrestlers, staff and coworkers is nothing in comparison to what he received in return.” As Watauga County can agree, Steve Gabriel has been a wonderful coach, teacher, leader and a friend to many, and one who deserves this recognition . . .he’s one, they say, that will never be forgotten for going the extra mile . . for putting others first . . and most of all, for caring.