Steve Chapman

For Steve, the youth program has always been about much more than introducing kids to wrestling. It is where future wrestlers begin developing the skills, confidence, work ethic, and relationships that can carry them through Chelsea's middle school and high school programs.

Steve was part of starting the Chelsea youth wrestling club and helped guide its growth over many years. As a former Director of Chelsea Wrestling Operations and varsity head coach, he has had the opportunity to see that progression from both ends — helping young wrestlers take their first steps in the sport and later watching many of them compete for Chelsea at the high school level.

Last season provided a particularly meaningful example. Nine seniors helped lead Chelsea to league and district titles, and Steve notes that eight of those nine wrestlers had participated in the youth program.

Steve describes coaching as a blessing to both him and his family. Over more than 20 years, it has allowed them to become part of the journeys of countless young wrestlers and their families.

For Steve, success isn't measured only by wins and losses. He hopes wrestlers leave the sport with experiences and lessons that continue helping them throughout their lives.

Steve believes a young wrestler's first priorities should be simple: have fun and learn to control their body and mind.

Fundamental wrestling skills can help young athletes not only in wrestling, but in other sports as well. As wrestlers mature, Steve hopes they develop commitment, self-motivation, work ethic, drive, and grit — qualities he believes can benefit them throughout their lives.

Steve also wants parents who are unfamiliar with wrestling to understand that they don't have to know the sport before their child begins.

He describes wrestling as a humble, hardworking community where experienced families are willing to help new families learn the sport and feel like they belong.

That community has been an important part of Steve's own family's experience in Chelsea.

To Steve, “Building Bulldogs From the Mat Up” describes the role youth wrestling plays in something much larger.

The youth club creates the foundation. Wrestlers can develop there before moving into middle school and eventually high school wrestling. Steve has watched wrestlers who started in the youth program become an important part of Chelsea wrestling's success as they grew older.

That connection between generations of wrestlers is also part of what he hopes continues long after his time as a regular coach ends.

Steve has been involved with Chelsea Wrestling for 14 years, including 10 years as Chelsea's varsity head wrestling coach. He also served as Director of Chelsea Wrestling Operations, and the youth club he helped start has remained a source of pride and enjoyment for him and his family.

After years of leading and growing Chelsea wrestling, Steve is beginning to step away from regular coaching. He still plans to support the youth club when needed, while helping ensure that the program built by Chelsea's coaches, wrestlers, and families continues for future generations.

Steve helped build the foundation, and now he gets to watch a new group of coaches, wrestlers, and families carry it forward.

More than the matches themselves, Steve hopes Chelsea wrestlers remember being part of an experience that prepared them for challenges long after they left the mat.

“Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” — Dan Gable