Little Kanawha Cauliflower Club
ROD OLDHAM
Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children;
and the glory of children are their fathers."

Franklin Falcons Coach: 1962-1967
Parkersburg South Patriots Coach: 1967-1985
High School Dual Meet Record: 186-21-2
Tournament Wins: 46
AAA State Championships: 4
Individual State Champions: 30
State Place Winners: 84
Winning Seasons: 18
All-America Wrestlers: 7
Three Time State Champions: 4
Two Time State Champions: 3
Regional Championships: 7
Individual Regional Champions: 58
Consecutive Dual Meet Wins: 68 (State Record)
Consecutive Undefeated Seasons: 5
Consecutive In-State Undefeated Seasons: 6
State Wrestling Association "Coach of the Year": 4
State Coaches Association "Coach of the Year": 3
U.S. District 2 National "Coach of the Year": 3
International Wrestling Seasons: 10
Exchange Trips to Germany: 4

It takes guts

by CJ Delaney
(from the 1986 PATRIAN)

"It does not take much to be a dirtball, but it takes extra to be a 'real' athlete. Dedication is very important, but I would have to say 'self-discipline' is the most important. You can not be afraid to be different, without self-discipline you will never be as good as you could be." A high belief in this philosophy was exactly why Coach Oldham was a success.

For never having wrestled a day in junior high, high school or college, Coach Oldham has left a string of records which will be hard to beat.

"I always wanted to coach. I was inspired by high school coaches. I had a great deal of respect for them," Oldham said.

"I learned basically everything I know from watching matches, going to clinics and talking to other coaches. I was constantly into wrestling, I had to because the day I stopped learning was the day someone would beat me," Oldham reflected.

Oldham did not like defeat. He believed one could never stand still because the first time one did someone would pass one up. This attitude and philosophy was what gained South a 186-21 wrestling record.

Coach Oldham participated in football and basketball in high school and went on to play football at Glenville State. He then became a coach at Franklin Junior High where he coached football, wrestling, basketball and track.

When South opened the doors in the fall of 1967 he came to coach track and wrestling and assist with football. He practiced from August to June and he sacrificed holidays, week days and most every weekend, but with no regrets.

In 1976 Oldham was forced to give up all the sports but one, and wrestling won out. Due to health reasons he selected the one sport which gave him the most success.

In the last eleven years Coach Oldham brought home four championships, three runner-ups, four thirds at State, seven champions, six runner-ups and five thirds at the Regionals.

Retirement was not taken lightly.

"It was hard and I had a feeling of emptiness. Believe me it was nothing personal, I really missed the coaches and the friends," Oldham commented.

With a lot of hard work and many hours, one would wonder what kept Coach Oldham driving. However, if one would stop and look deep inside his personal philosophy and his hard set goals, one would find the answer.

"If you are different, so be it. You can not be like everyone else because you are not everyone else. You have to make your own decisions and be you," Oldham concluded.