Rick Sicilia
Inducted in 1996

Grandview High School 1971-1973
Omak High School 1973-1976
University High School 1976-1994

 

Rick Sicilia wrestled for Cash Stone at Mead High School and in his senior year in 1966 he went undefeated until the state finals where he placed 2nd at 157 pounds. Rick continued his wrestling career at Washington State University under coach Roger James. He placed in the Pac 8 Conference Tournament three times, second as a sophomore, 1st as a junior and fourth as a senior. Rick competed in the NCAA Championships in 1969 and graduated from WSU in 1970.

He started his teaching career at Grandview Junior High School in September of 1971 and started the junior high wrestling program. He was also an assistant for Rich Lenhouts at Grandview High School for the 1972-73 season. In September of 1973 Rick moved to Omak High School and started the wrestling program there. His teams at Omak finished with one dual victory their first season, three in the second season, and twelve victories in their third season. At the state tournament in 1976, two Omak wrestlers placed third.

Rick moved to University High School in 1976 an worked as an assistant coach for one season. In 1977 he became the head coach of the Titans where he would spend seventeen seasons until 1994 when he moved to an administrative position at Central Valley. Before the 1978 season, University had never had a winning dual meet season in the sixteen year history of the school. The Titans have not had a losing season since. His record at University was 140 wins, 35 defeats and 2 ties.

In 1982, Pat Thomas became the first Titan to reach the state finals and in 1985 Brett Racicott earned the school's first state wrestling championship. Rick would coach a total of six state champions and twenty six state placers while at University. The Titans placed consistently in the top ten at state with two fifth places finishes, two fourths and two thirds since 1982.

Rick was active in forming and coaching freestyle wrestling clubs in Grandview, Omak and the Spokane Valley. He has a worked as a wrestling official in those areas. Rick and his wife Cheryl have two sons, Josh and Brett. He enjoys riding horses, golfing and fishing.

Inducted by Brett Racicott