Lassiter wrestling head coach Steve Day has coached the Trojans for 28 years. Prior to that, he spent time as an assistant at Illinois State and Clemson after finishing an illustrious collegiate career on the mats.

Day's dedication to the sport and to mentoring young people resulted in him receiving, what he considers to be, one of the greatest awards of his life.

Day was honored recently with an induction into Georgia chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame upon receiving the organization's Lifetime Service to Wrestling award. He was one of seven members of the state of Georgia's Class of 2009 inducted in a banquet ceremony held in Atlanta before a crowd of 380 people.

According to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Service to Wrestling honor is given in recognition of years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people through the sport of wrestling.

Day joins former Marietta wrestling coach and Blue Devil athletic director, Jeff Wheeler, as recent Cobb County high school coaches inducted into the Hall. Wheeler received the same award last season.

"I had the greatest time of my life," said Day regarding the ceremony. "My parents drove down in their mobile home to be there, so I got to recognize them in person for everything they did for me. I had over 100 people there supporting, which I was surprised to see. There were people there I hadn't seen in over 20 years, so the whole evening was great."

Day, 54, was informed of his induction earlier this year, but wasn't able to figure out what it all meant at first.

"I was surprised when I received the letter," he said. "I made my daughter read it to me, though, because I didn't understand if I was being inducted or if I was just being nominated. I didn't want to tell people I was being inducted if it was just a nomination. But, she told me I was being inducted and I just couldn't believe it."

Prior to the ceremony, Day sought advice from Wheeler on what to expect at the ceremony. He and Wheeler have been friends for more than 20 years.

"If it hadn't been Jeff, I wouldn't have been prepared for that night," said Day. "He gave me the hands up on what was going to happen and helped me so much so I wouldn't make a fool out of myself.

"It was an awesome event. I was really happy to be there for all of those people who have been a part of my life all these years. It was a phenomenal night to remember."

A two-time high school All-American in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling out of Normal Community High School in Normal, Ill., Day went on to become a two-time junior college All-American from Blackhawk Junior College before receiving his bachelor's degree in physical education from Illinois State. After his years at Illinois State and Clemson, he was named the Lassiter coach in 1982 and hasn't looked back.

Before joining the Lassiter teaching staff, Day spent time as a member of USA Wrestling, competing in events all over the world, including Bulgaria, Cuba, the U.S. and Canada. In international competition, Day finished fourth at the 1977 World University Games and won a 1982 gold medal in Toronto during the Canadian Cup. He's also won two bronze and two silver medals in international competition.

In the 1990's, Day spent five years contending in ultimate-fighter-style competition in Japan, where he didn't lose a match in his final three years of competing.

At Lassiter, Day has coached 13 state wrestling champions, including two-time champions Cody Runnels, Brian MeNitt and Chris Williams, and 62 state placers. His Trojans teams have finished in the top five of the traditional state tournament nine times, placing third in 2002 and earning runner-up honors in 1988 and 1989. The Trojans have won two county championships, three region crowns and one dual championship.

A football, volleyball and baseball coach at times during his time as a Trojan, Day is also the current girls golf coach at Lassiter, having led the team to the 2001 state championship and to three runners-up finishes.

Days time with National Wrestling Hall of Fame festivities isn't quite over yet as one of his best friends will also be inducted this month.

"My buddy from Iowa, Ron Gray, invited me to his Hall of Fame induction after he received his letter," Day said. "The very next day, I got mine in the mail. For both of us to be inducted in the same year is pretty nice."