Edmund Ewoldt, 97, Influential Wrestling Coach, Passes Away

BREAKING NEWS: Edmund Ewoldt, a legendary figure in Illinois high school wrestling and a beloved educator, has died at the age of 97. His passing on December 24, 2023, at the Brighton Gardens assisted living facility in Wheaton has left the community in mourning, as tributes pour in for a man who dedicated his life to teaching and coaching.

Ewoldt’s remarkable career spanned nearly three decades at Wheaton Community High School (now known as Wheaton Central High School), where he not only taught biology but also coached wrestling, football, soccer, baseball, and softball. Under his leadership, the wrestling team clinched conference championships in 1963, 1965, and 1966, with the 1966 squad finishing a close second in the state tournament. His influence extended far beyond the classroom and the wrestling mat; he served as the school’s athletic director from 1973 to 1983.

Ewoldt’s impact on high school wrestling in Illinois was profound. After retiring in 1988, he remained a steadfast presence in the sport, continuing to work at local and state wrestling tournaments for more than four decades. His encyclopedic knowledge of wrestling history was instrumental in documenting tournament results, and his passion for the sport was evident to all who knew him.

Former Wheaton Central head wrestling coach John Fuller expressed the collective sentiment, stating,

“He was passionate about wrestling and passionate about people, and it showed.”

Ewoldt’s legacy is marked by his unwavering dedication to nurturing young athletes and fostering a love for wrestling.

Born on 1928 in Wall Lake, Iowa, Ewoldt served in the Navy aboard the USS Frank Knox from 1945 to 1947 before pursuing a career in education. He received his degree from Iowa State Teachers College in 1954 and began teaching in 1955.

His contributions to the sport were recognized with several honors, including an induction into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association’s Hall of Fame in 1975 and the National Junior College Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1999, the wrestling gym at Wheaton Warrenville South High School was renamed in his honor, and in 2011, he was inducted into that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ewoldt is survived by two sons, Eric and Steve, five grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. His family has arranged a visitation on December 28, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton, followed by a funeral service on December 29, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Gary United Methodist Church.

As the wrestling community remembers Edmund Ewoldt, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. The Ewoldt Invitational tournament at Wheaton Warrenville South High School stands as a testament to his enduring impact on the sport he loved. His dedication to wrestling and education has left an indelible mark, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.