Wendall Bean, raised in Culver, Indiana, is the youngest of ten children born to William and Lela Bean. He is a 1975 graduate of Culver Community High School where he excelled as a three-sport athlete in cross-country, track, and wrestling, earning a wrestling scholarship to William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 

Despite being awarded William Penn's Male Athlete of the year, Wendall wanted to continue his wrestling career elsewhere. After an extensive search, Wendall decided on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he found a true friend and father figure in the legendary Willie Myers, former UW-Whitewater wrestling coach and 1982 member of the George Martin Hall of Fame.

After a redshirt year, Wendall captured a spot in the varsity line-up and went on to compete for UW-Whitewater the next three years, qualifying for three NAIA National Tournaments. He graduated in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in physical education. 

Wendall began his teaching and coaching career in 1980-81 at Whitewater High School as a physical education instructor and assistant coach under Ron Bleck. After 4 years as an assistant, Wendall took over the helm as the head wrestling coach in 1984-85. During his 23 year tenure as head wrestling coach, Whitewater High School teams compiled a record of 206-94, captured 14 regional titles, 2 sectional titles, 1 Southern Lakes Conference title, 2 SLC Western Division titles, 46 team championships and made appearances in 10 WIAA Team Sectional Tournaments and 2 WIAA Team State Tournaments. Whitewater teams finished 1st or 2nd 92 times in dual or individual championships during his 23 year span as head wrestling coach. In addition, he coached 41 individual state qualifiers/place finishers and 43 individual Southern Lakes Conference champions.

A member since 1980, Wendall has been very active in the WWCA serving for ten years as the District Six representative from 2000/01- 2009/10. In addition, he has assisted the former clinic chairman, John Stockowitz, for the past six years with the organization and operation of the WWCA Annual Fall Clinic and authored the Aspiring Officials Program, a WWCA initiative for the WIAA to recruit and assist potential wrestling officials. More recently, Wendall has taken over the helm as Clinic Chairman and plans to continue the great reputation Wisconsin has for hosting the largest and finest wrestling clinic in the country.

In addition to the WWCA, Wendall has been involved in many other endeavors within the Wisconsin wrestling community. He was selected to co-coach the Southern Lakes All Stars vs. West Germany (1987) and the Southern Wisconsin All-Stars vs. Northern Illinois All-Stars (1990,91 & 92), co-directed the Fort-Whitewater Developmental Camps (1984-90), coordinated a Badger State wrestling regional (1986-90), was clinician for the Warhawk Wrestling Camps (UW-Whitewater 1978-98), directed the Wisconsin Granby System Wrestling Camp (2003-08), coordinated and directed UW-Whitewater's Mid-States Wrestling Classic (1985-1995 & 1998-present), assisted with the development of the Middle School Elite AAU program (2006), and currently serves as president for the UW-Whitewater Wrestling Alumni Association.

Some of Wendall's proudest moments were not just as a wrestling coach, but those as a father. The attitude of hard work and commitment often developed in the sport of wrestling helped him through the many years of being a single parent. His son, Andy, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was often by his side assisting in the many facets of managing wrestling events. His help allowed Wendall to focus more on the elements of coaching. Besides the many hours Andy put in as a wrestler and three-sport athlete, he spent many additional hours rolling mats, stuffing envelopes, sorting uniforms, and assisting with the many duties that accompany the sport of wrestling. Thank you, Andy, for all your help and for making your dad proud!

Wendall continues to stay actively involved in coaching as the Whitewater Middle School wrestling coach, a position he has held since his retirement as the high school head coach in 2007. He is also liaison to the Whitewater Youth Wrestling Club and has become very active in recent years as a WIAA wrestling official.

Wendall is very grateful for all the help he has received throughout the years from the many Whitewater parents, athletes, community members, businesses, teachers, school administrators, and assistant coaches. This selection to the George Martin Hall of Fame would not have been possible without their support. In particular, he would like to thank his assistant coaches. These individuals were not only exceptional coaches, but have become is his greatest friends. Thank you! 

Go Back One Page Alphabetical Index