Chippewa Valley Times

James Huntley, an assistant coach for the Blugold wrestling team, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Joe Merten Coaching Award. This accolade will be presented to him at the Blugold Athletics End-of-Year Banquet.

The Joe Merten Coaching Award offers a $500 cash stipend to part-time assistant coaches, graduate assistants, or community coaches involved in any of the 25 sports within the Blugold sports program. It honors Joe Merten, a Blugold basketball Hall of Famer who passed away in 2008. The award criteria specify that recipients "shall demonstrate a deep commitment to the student-athletes and embody a passion for lifelong learning and the 'love of the game.'"

Huntley, who completed his wrestling career at Blugold in 2021, joined as an assistant coach shortly thereafter. A native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, he has played a crucial role in developing wrestlers within the program despite having multiple commitments during the 2023-24 season.

In addition to being a full-time graduate student and starting his own business in Chippewa Falls, Huntley worked nights with Make a Difference Homes and welcomed a newborn son with his wife. His responsibilities with the wrestling program included scheduling team travel, handling recruitment in Minnesota, and meeting with wrestlers early mornings before his day job.

His efforts contributed significantly to a historic season for the Blugolds. The team had four wrestlers earn All-America honors—the most in school history—and produced a national champion while finishing fifth at the NCAA Championships. They also secured their first-ever WIAC championship.

Blugolds Head Wrestling Coach Tim Fader commented on Huntley's contributions: "He loves to train with his wrestlers and that has helped our upper weights become some of the very best in the nation," adding that Huntley's work ethic and commitment are vital to Blugold Wrestling's success.

During Huntley's coaching tenure, nine All-Americans have emerged from the Blugolds' ranks.

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