WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue assistant wrestling coach Tom Erikson was inducted to the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Erikson was named an Honorary Member after his contributions to Indiana wrestling over his 10 seasons as a member of the Boilermaker wrestling staff.
Purdue assistant coach Tom Erikson is set to enter his 11th season on the Boilermaker staff this fall.
“This is a great honor for Tom (Erikson) and the Purdue wrestling program,” said Boilermaker head wrestling coach Scott Hinkel. “We’ve seen our sport grow and improve in the state of Indiana in our tenure at Purdue, and Tom has been a big part of that through camps and recruiting. We’re proud to see him join this elite group.”
The IHSWCA has inducted wrestlers, coaches and contributors each year since 1972, and Erikson joins an elite group of Boilermakers in this company that includes Joe Patacsil, Frank Patacsil, Ted Patacsil and Joe Corso.
“It’s a great honor,” said Erikson. “It’s always something special to be inducted into any type of hall of fame, but it’s extra special to me to be recognized by the state I’ve been coaching in for the last decade.”
Erikson came to Purdue in 1997 as a volunteer assistant coach, and joined the staff full time in 1999. He’s led the Boilermakers’ upper weight classes to several conference and national honors in his tenure, including two-time All-American Jake Vercelli and three-time NCAA qualifier Nathan Moore. Erikson was an elite competitor on the international level for several years, and a two-time All-America honoree at Oklahoma State.
For more information on the IHSWCA Hall of Fame visit their website.
