Charles McCreary was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was one of four brothers who each wrestled at Indiana High School for Coach Sam Lengel. Charlie wrestled on the varsity team for all four years of high school. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Superior where he earned his teaching degree and wrestled for Coach Mertz Mortoreli, compiling a 42-2 record. During this time Charlie wont he Wisconsin State University championship in the 130 pound weight class in 1962 and 1963. In 1963 he was also State Collegiate Champion and placed third in the NAIA finals, receiving All-American honors.

After graduation from U-W Superior, Charlie accepted a teaching position as a Social Studies teacher at the Chippewa Falls Senior High School in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. At the same time he became the head wrestling coach, a position he held for the next 26 years. This long coaching career was shared with his head assistant coach, Kerm Culbertson. Charlie retired as head wrestling coach in 1995, but continued to serve as head assistant coach for another five years with Tom Pomietlo taking over as head coach.

During 26 years as head coach at Chippewa Falls, Charlie's team compiled 209 dual meet victories, 9 Bit Rivers Conference championships, and 7 regional championships. Individual accomplishments include 1 state champion, 37 state qualifiers, 13 state place winners, 68 regional champions and 79 conference champions.

Charlie also coached the Wisconsin Cadet Team for two years and spends several summers helping with the Junior National Team. In 1985 Charlie was inducted into the UW-Superior Hall of Fame.

One particularly memorable season was the 1990-91 season when both of Charlie's sons wrestled on the varsity team with both winning conference and regional championships. It was also the year Corrie Gonyer was the first state champion for Chippewa Falls. Charlie retired from teaching in 1998 and from coaching in 2000.

Charlie and his wife Diane retired to Cape Coral, Florida in 2001.  Charlie's son Mark, also lives in Cape Coral, and is a science teacher at Tropic Isles Elementary School and a wrestling coach at Ida Baker High School.  He has two daughters, Michaela and Maddison.  Son Terry lives in Fort Myers, Florida and is an attorney at the McCreary Law Firm.

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