Lehigh University Athletics
Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
William "Billy" Sheridan*
- Induction:
- 1993
Much of Lehigh’s wrestling tradition is due to the accomplishments of Billy Sheridan. A charter member of
the National Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame, he is recognized as a founding father of the sport of wrestling. Sheridan coached Engineer matmen for an incredible 41 seasons from 1912 through 1952, and is the school's “winningest” wrestling mentor with a 222-86-8 mark.
While coaching, he developed three Olympians, five national AAU Champions, five NCAA title winners and 59 EIWA champions. His teams won 13 EIWA team crowns and had six undefeated seasons.
Sheridan was picked as an alternate coach of the United States Olympic team in 1936 and a coach/manager of the USA Squad in the first Pan American Games in 1951. Sheridan also refereed and in 1928 handled every bout of the first national collegiate tournament. Recognized as the “Knute Rockne of College Wrestling”, Sheridan is credited with being the founder of the first summer wrestling camp in the United States. He has previously been inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
Sheridan died in 1960 and was married to the late Emily Farrell Sheridan.
the National Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame, he is recognized as a founding father of the sport of wrestling. Sheridan coached Engineer matmen for an incredible 41 seasons from 1912 through 1952, and is the school's “winningest” wrestling mentor with a 222-86-8 mark.While coaching, he developed three Olympians, five national AAU Champions, five NCAA title winners and 59 EIWA champions. His teams won 13 EIWA team crowns and had six undefeated seasons.
Sheridan was picked as an alternate coach of the United States Olympic team in 1936 and a coach/manager of the USA Squad in the first Pan American Games in 1951. Sheridan also refereed and in 1928 handled every bout of the first national collegiate tournament. Recognized as the “Knute Rockne of College Wrestling”, Sheridan is credited with being the founder of the first summer wrestling camp in the United States. He has previously been inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
Sheridan died in 1960 and was married to the late Emily Farrell Sheridan.
2026 Convocation Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 07
2025-2026 Top Moments
Thursday, May 07
2026 Talk with a Hawk
Wednesday, May 06
2026 Student-Athlete Superlatives
Wednesday, May 06
