BY ALLISON PERSTON
Staff Writer

Physical education teacher and wrestling Coach George McCormack made a difference in the lives of new Coach Michael Bilbie and the wrestling team, and he will influence them throughout their season this year.

 McCormack, who died in November after a yearlong battle with cancer, made an impact on the entire team, and a lasting impression on those who knew him longest. McCormack and Bilbie had coached together for more than 20 years, and had known each other much longer.

“Coach McCormack was like a brother to me. We grew up together and knew each other in high school,” Bilbie said. “He was also a roommate of mine in college, and we were both members of the wrestling team.”

Bilbie said McCormack was a coach who understood the wrestlers.

“Coach McCormack was not a coach that was going to get in your face and scream and yell,” Bilbie said. “He really cared about all of his wrestlers. He was a calming influence both on and off the mat. It seemed as if he always had things under control.”

Junior Elee Khalil agreed, saying that McCormack was a friend as much as he was a coach, and that he was always easy to approach.

“He was the guy that you could always talk to. He was a coach who understood,” Khalil said.

Khalil explained that wrestling for McCormack was a great part of his life.

“Wrestling for him was an unforgettable experience. He took time to help you build as a person,” Khalil said.

Khalil said that the loss of McCormack added some new goals for the team for this season.

“This is a game-changer. We have to start off well, knowing that we’re wrestling for G-Mac, not us,” Khalil said. “We need to realize why we’re on the mats.”

Senior Zach Bernarding agreed, saying that the team is going to work even harder this season for McCormack.

“We’re going to go a lot harder than we have before because it’s Mr. McCormack,” Bernarding said. “Instead of grieving, we’re going to be working even harder for him.”

On Jan. 8, the team honored McCormack by collecting donations at its match.

Bilbie said that as well as being a terrible blow for the team, McCormack’s death can also teach a lesson.

“Coach McCormack’s death taught us not to take things for granted, and to be the best we can be both on and off the wrestling mat,” Bilbie said.

Bilbie explained some of what the team wants to achieve this season.

“Our team goal is to work hard and get better every day we step on the mat,” Bilbie said. “Coach McCormack used to say, ‘Take care of the little things and big things will happen.’ ”