Hall of Fame
John Corman of Shippensburg, Class of 1972, was the university’s first All-American wrestler. He wrestled in the PSAC freshman tournament in 1969 and won the 152 pound weight class title. In 1971 he placed fourth at 158 pounds at the PSAC tournament. That weight class was won by an eventual national champion.
In 1972 Corman qualified for the NCAA College Division wrestling tournament for the second year in a row. This time he became the Red Raiders’ first All-American wrestler by finishing fifth at 158 pounds. Corman defeated Jerry Strauman of Western Illinois for fifth place. The title was won by future Olympian Stan Dziedzic of Slippery Rock.
Shippensburg finished fifteenth at the NCAA College Division Tournament. That was the highest finish ever at that time in national competition for the Red Raiders. For his career Corman compiled a record of 70 win sand 20 losses. He had a stellar winning percentage of .778.
Since graduation Corman has pursued a career in education. He became a mathematics teacher at Big Spring High School. Corman also taught for six years at Mechanicsburg following his graduation from Shippensburg and served three years as a junior high football coach and assistant varsity wrestling coach at that school. He also was an assistant wrestling coach at Big Spring for two years.
Corman joins his father Bill Corman, former wrestling coach for the Red Raiders, and his brother Bill Corman Jr. in the Shippensburg Athletic Hall of Fame. His brother was his teammate on the 1972 team. The Cormans are the only family with three members in the Hall of Fame.
