This article was originally published prior to June 2, 2013. Due to a change in the content management systems, the initial publication date in not available. 

On Nov. 8, Baker University wrestling coach Jimmy May will add to his long list of accomplishments, as he will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in the Nevada Chapter.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place in Stillwater, Okla., beginning Nov. 7 with a golf tournament, lunch and awards, followed by a banquet on Nov. 8. May said he feels honored to be in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

“I feel very privileged to be a part of the Hall of Fame,” he said. “It’s a privilege because it’s something of that magnitude, and it’s a privilege to be honored with the names that are already on it.”

May said he is looking most forward to attending the ceremony because someone very special to him will be in attendance.

“My high school coach is my hero; he influenced me and took me under his wing,” May said. “He’ll be there, and he’s 70-something years old. It’s going to be awesome to see him. I’ll honor him in my acceptance speech.”

May joined the Baker community this fall after a long and successful tenure in Las Vegas where he coached 12 high school state championships, 14 regional championships and 63 individual state champions at the Clark County School District. May coached 19 high school All-Americans, was named the National Coach of the Year, Regional Coach of the Year four times and recorded the fourth-most successful high school wrestling programs of that era. May’s list of accomplishments extend further in his 30-plus years of coaching.

Athletic director Dan Harris said May’s Hall of Fame honor is not only a huge accomplishment for him but for Baker University, too.

“That obviously adds to our credibility,” Harris said. “It shows we made a good decision on the wrestling hire. To have 12 years of state championships is just unprecedented – it’s unbelievable. It shows his ability to develop a program for a long time, not just single seasons.”

May said the development of Baker’s first wrestling program has been a steady process, but he looks for it to pick up as high school seasons begin next month. He said he envisions about 25-30 wrestlers for next season as a realistic number but the more he can bring in the better.

Assistant athletic director Theresa Yetmar said May has been a great addition to the athletics staff and has exhibited hard work ethic in his new position. She said May’s Hall of Fame honor was a great accomplishment for him and Baker.

“Any time you get national recognition by your peers, that’s a tremendous compliment,” Yetmar said. “What it’s done for the Baker wrestling program is that it’s given it positive national exposure.”

May will be recognized alongside four other 2008 National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees in a couple weeks. Until then, he said he will keep busy becoming acquainted to Baker and working on recruiting.