He does it because he loves it. Duane Mauer, the head coach for the Schuylkill Valley High School wrestling team for the past 20 years, doesn’t always get the recognition for what he has done with the wrestling program, but that’s fine by him. He doesn’t do it for recognition, he does it for the love of the sport and for his wrestlers.
But last year, Mauer did receive some recognition. He was named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. It was the seventh Hall of Fame he was inducted so some people have noticed what he has accomplished. He was already a member of the PA State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the District 3 and District 11 halls of fame, as well as three others.
Of course, this was his first national hall of fame honor, and for him, it was very special.
“It’s a tremendous honor and a very humbling experience to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the PA Wrestling Hall of Fame. These Halls contain the true legends of the sport and it is awfully awesome to be included in that group.
“I never coached for the purpose of getting into any Hall of Fame. I just do it because I love the sport and enjoy helping kids. To have one’s efforts be recognized with induction is really quite special.’
Mauer was a high school wrestler himself, and a very good one. He earned four varsity letters in wrestling at Tri-Valley High School where he graduate in 1976.
He was also a four-time letter winner at Elizabeth College from 1976 to 1980. He was the Middle Atlantic Conference 142 pound champion in 1979, and an NCAA qualifier that year.
The following season he repeated his 142 pound championship in the MAC, and went on to be an NCAA All-American that season.
Immediately after graduating from Elizabethtown in 1980, he became the head wrestling coach at Pine Grove Area High School, and stayed there until 1993 when he took over as head coach at Schuylkill Valley High School.
During his 20 years at Schuylkill Valley, his teams have won three Berks League championships, three District 3 Dual Meet championships, six District 3 Tournament championships, and three KSA National Duals Championships.
On top of all that, he earned two District 11 Coach of the Year honors, four District 3 Coach of the Year honors and was named the Berks County Coach of the Year three times.
Over 34 years of coaching, Mauer’s teams have compiled an overall record of 461-194-4. That is the 13th most all-time dual meet wins in Pennsylvania wrestling history.
“I have had a great experience,’ said Coach Mauer about his time coaching the Panthers. “We have had a truly staggering amount of fun enriching the lives of many student athletes, as well as the community at large.’
