For those of you who have not had the pleasure of walking into the wrestling room in The Convo, the first thing that you notice is the wall opposite the door that lists every individual Bobcat wrestler who won a Mid-American Conference championship.
Across from the year 2001, in green lettering, it says Luke Moore
174. And it is that spot on this wall that assistant coach Luke Moore pointed to when asked about his own career.
To become a MAC Champion was by far the best weekend
Moore said. What made that year so great was that our team won it that year also
and we weren't really supposed to. I can't really describe how that felt.
Graduating in 2003 with a degree in education and as a decorated wrestler, Moore opted to remain involved with the Ohio wrestling program when he continued on to graduate school.
I think the best part about coaching here with these guys is that I wrestled with them
Moore said. I'm getting to see some of them finish their careers or continue their careers. It's a different role because you're not thinking what I can do
but what can I do to help them out. More than anything
they're my friends.
The role of friend and acting big brother of this year's seniors is extraordinarily apparent on road trips, where Moore not only helps the wrestlers with their athletic pursuits but their lives in general. Whether working out at 6 a.m. to make weight or making fun of each others' ears and stupid mistakes over a Greek salad, Moore is still one of the guys.
Luke's an all-around good guy
coach Joel Greenlee said. He cares about the guys on our team a lot. He's going to try to get them to do the right things and steer them away from the wrong things
whether it be in wrestling or in life.
In the midst of his second and last season as an assistant coach, Moore has no regrets about the decision to coach, although switching gears from competitor to instructor was not the easiest.
When he hung up his shoes for the last time, denial seemed to permeate him, as it seemed unreal to not compete as an individual wrestler any longer. The itch to get back on the mat and return to the pure hard work, sweat and pain that is wrestling still exists, especially after the sport became such a vital part of his life.
Saying that Moore was born into wrestling is a rather accurate description, having gone to his first wrestling tournament when he was two weeks old to cheer on his father, who was the local wrestling coach.
I grew up going to practices with my dad
he said. I'd hang around with the guys on his teams at wrestling meets
