To Whom it May Concern

I’ve had the privilege of knowing and associating with Gary for the last 14 years. Our paths crossed over a mutual interest around wrestling. I’m not talking about the highly glamorized professional entertainment version of wrestling, but rather high school wrestling, which couldn’t be further from the hype, recognition or acknowledgment. We happened to have had boys of the same age that wrestled so that is where it all started for me and my boys.

Having just moved to a new part of the valley, I was interested in getting my boys into wrestling because I wanted them to be able to experience and learn important life principles just as I had been exposed to. Gary was running both a little kids program as well as coaching the Jr. High team. Just a short time that passed before I was able to recognize that this program existed because he felt it was important enough to sacrifice his leisure time and resources for something with a much greater purpose. That purpose simply put was to help young boys learn and grow into good young men. Sure he wanted to help his own boys become successful in the sport, but his example and influence reached much further than just his own. He influenced a generation of young boys for the good with little to no support from the school or community.

A man that can see a need and take the initiative and get it done is a rare commodity it seems. Gary has exemplified this attribute over the years. When the regular season for wrestling was over, he recognized more mat time would enhance the kids performance so he continued by coaching more practices. Here again, there was no paycheck involved in this endeavor. He expected nothing, but just did it because it was the right thing to do.
Coaching any sport is a challenge, but wrestling not only exposes the flaws in character of the wrestler, but will also show the character flaws of a coach as well. In working with Gary I experienced what it’s like to work with a man that had solid character and values. I couldn’t have wished for a better man for my boys to associate with and be influenced by. Wrestling is a tough sport, and not only for the boys. It’s tough on coaches as well. There are numerous occasions to make the popular or more comfortable decisions. Gary made the right ones and at the right time.

Gary later accepted the head coaching job at Springville High School because the previous coach had vacated the position and there was an urgent need. It was a need that he selflessly met by using his vacation days from his full time employment job so he could spend the necessary time to coach. He also took his personal time to haul kids to tournaments and wrestling camps of which was done a lot at his own expense. He went above and beyond the call of duty, but the more time I spent with Gary, it was substantiated that this was part of his standard operating procedure.

Over the years together, I can say that Gray is a guy that I can trust. He’ll say what needs to be said instead of what people may want to hear. He’s ambitious and always looking to improve upon and make things better. He will do what he says he will do without excuse. I was proud to sit beside and coach with a man whose integrity was never in question, but rather validated by the many that I’ve come across that have known or had interactions with Gary. He’s a dear friend to this day and they don’t come much better in my opinion.





Sincerely,

Steve Petersen
Co-founder/Administrator
RedCliff Ascent
Discovery Academy
Discover Ranch