Kerry McCoy (Photo/Maryland Athletics)Kerry McCoy, arguably one of the most accomplished Nittany Lion wrestlers of the modern era before becoming head wrestling coach at University of Maryland, was one of eight individuals selected to receive the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award for 2018 this past Saturday.
Established by the Penn State Board of Trustees in 1951, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that The Pennsylvania State University presents to an outstanding alumna or alumnus. The award recognizes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose "personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater."
"I'm truly honored and humbled to be recognized with this award," McCoy said. "It is awesome to be included with this incredible group of alumni and this is a special honor I will cherish for the rest of my life."
McCoy built an incredible mat career at Penn State. He was a three-time NCAA All-American, winning heavyweight titles at the 1994 and 1997 NCAA Division I championships. He was also a three-time Big Ten champ. As a Nittany Lion, McCoy compiled an overall record of 150-18, building an 88-match win streak at the end of his college career.
McCoy earned a number of honors as a Nittany Lion, being named Penn State Athlete of the Year as well as Wrestler of the Year in both 1994 and 1997. In addition, he was selected as 1997 Hodge Trophy winner as the nation's top college wrestler of the year by WIN Magazine. McCoy earned a degree in marketing from the Smeal College of Business in 1997.
McCoy's on-the-mat success went beyond collegiate wrestling. He was also a two-time Olympian for the United States, placing fifth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and seventh in 2004 in Athens. He also won five straight U.S. National Freestyle Wrestling Championships from 2000 to 2004.
The former Penn State big man was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014.
University of Maryland's Assistant Athletic Director Mark Sherburne offered his congratulations to his head wrestling coach.
"Coach McCoy has accomplished so much within the sport of wrestling and throughout his professional coaching career since his days as a Penn State student-athlete," said Sherburne. "All of us here at Maryland are excited for him and proud that he is being recognized by Penn State as a 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. It is a well-deserved honor and a testament to his character and work ethic."
In addition to McCoy, the other individuals who received Penn State Distinguished Alumni honors this past weekend include Dana H. Born; Jacob D. Corman III; Paul T. Cremo; Barbara H. Raphael; Richard J. Riegel; Hal S. Sadoff; and Roger L. Williams.
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