Chat Archives
Coach Neal Lineman  12/4/2000

My best memory would be when the Reynolds High School gained its first State champion, Jim Gollner.  Jim Gollner won the State championship at 145 pound class in 1967.  My worst memory was when Brian Hills lost in the State finals with 12 seconds remaining on the clock.  He led the whole match up to those 12 seconds remaining.  Brian lost the State championship in 1975 at 165 pound class.

You are without a doubt the greatest coach Reynolds or any other school will ever have.

Thank you for your opinion.

Will you do other "chats" during the season this year ??

Yes, if I am asked.

Are any of the traditions that you started still in existence?

Yes, the winning traditions and we still have our team stick.

I think they should name the Reynolds gym after you.

Thanks for the suggestion but they will have to add more seats.

Chuck Coryea was arguably the best heavyweight Reynolds ever produced, yet he never hit 100 wins, in fact, no Raider prior to John Tofani (1985-1986) ever made 100 wins. Speculation as to why that is?
Thanks for the memories!
A former Raider.

When Chuck Coryea wrestled the best record you could have in one year was 26-0.  We were only allowed 14 dual meets per year and one holiday tournament then the Sections, District, Regional and State Tournament.  The PIAA did not allow any more matches per year. Chuck as a freshman did not make the varsity team, however, his total record was 61-3-1.

Thanks for all the great years. What made you decide to retire? When are you going to stage a comeback?

A former wrestler from long ago.

After the 1975-76 school year when the wrestling program was forced to forfeit two matches by the School Board due to a teachers strike, I decided that I did not want to continue coaching in the program.  I remained for one more year and then retired.  The PIAA allowed all extra carricular activities to continue during a teachers strike but our School Board refused to allow us to continue.  

Honestly Coach, if Al Gore was a wrestler of yours, wouldn't you have booted his whiny butt of the team by now!! Signed, a concerned American.

Absolutely YES!

Hi Pop. Are you having fun?

Love,
Gracie

Yes Gracie, I am having a great time.  I'm learning about computers.

who do you think is the best wrestler in the 90's?

Casey Taylor - Three time State Champ.  However, watch out for Justin Nestor.

who was the best wrestler that you coached?

There were so many great wrestlers in my 16 year career that I could not pick one as being the best.

do you ever think that the consecutive dual meet record will ever be broken?

All records are made to be broken and I hope that in my lifetime I see it happen at Reynolds.

The Reynolds vs Greenville wrestling matches are such a rival. How many years did the matches take place out of the high schools to college gyms?

Five consecutive years from 1973-74 through 1978.  The first one was at Westminister College with an overflowing crowd of 3800 people.

what do you think are the chances of this years team of winning the state championship as a team and as a tournament team?

Baring illness and injury this team has the potential of winning it all.  After attending the Phillipsburg Tournament this past weekend the Raiders are on the right track.

Hello coach Lineman. It's always a pleasure to see and talk to you. With the wrestling program coming up on its' 500th win, what are some of your feelings of the past and now the present, along with the idea that it could come against rival Greenville?

I don't really care which team the Raiders beat to gain their 500th win just so they get there this year, their 40th year of wrestling. If it is Greenville, so be it.

Coach Lineman,
Thought I would take this opportunity to say hello from Texas. I found this site last season and have kept up with the team. I noticed that there aren't many boys on the team, compared with the 100 or so that used to come out for the team back in the mid 60's. Do you happen to know the approximate enrollment in the top 3 grades ? Congratulations to the team on their performance in the Mountaineer Tournament.

Regards,

Joe Spicko
Class of '67

Joe, there are a total of 29 wrestlers in grades 9-12 at the present time on the Reynolds wrestling team.  That is small compared to the 100+ when you were on our team.  Fletcher Carr still thinks you're the best.  Thanks for checking in.

Without a doubt, you are the greatest coach (and father)that there has ever been. I know that you would be the first to acknowledge that your great sucess was in large part due to a very understanding wife (who coincidentily just happens to be the greatest mother any son could ever have). But let's set the record straight once and for all; Marciano would have defeated either Louis or Dempsey in their primes. Let's admit it once and for all, and we'll all just move on.

Signed,
One of your three greatest admirers.

Mahamad Ali would have whooped them all.

Coach Lineman;the only match that has stuck out in my mind is the one RHS vs GHS at Edinboro when Dave Kress had to out wrestle Steve Riley to save the win. What did you say to him before he went out to wrestle?

Don't get pinned.

If you had a chance to talk to this years team prior to a big match, such as Greenville, District 10 Team Championship, or Wilson, what would be your pre-match speach?

Give it 100%, be aggressive, don't go half way, if the fall is there take it.

We all know you're a great coach, husband & father. So spill it . . . who is your favorite kid ??

As you have always commented Vicki, the middle kid is the best.

when the raiders travel to brookville, who do you think will win between wilson and the raiders?

I know little about Wilson, however, if the Raiders wrestle up to their potential they will be a winner.

Is it true your wrestlers used to get a sip of honey before they went out on the mats ?

Thanks.

Yes

Is it true that the wrestlers used to throw you in the showers after a big win ? What did your wife do ?

Thank you.

Yes that is true.  My wife always brought extra clothing.

Wrestling has had many rule changes since you were at the helm. What changes that have taken place since then would you like to have had changed back then?

I would like to see riding time reinstated.  That could do away with stalling and overtimes.

Do you think kids should start wrestling in kindergarten? I value your opinion, thank you.

Absolutely not.  In my opinion, the bone structure and muscle structure is probably not developed enough for wrestling.

Coach, you were like a father to me growing up. I hope you have you family have a Merry Christmas. Great to hear from you.

Thank you for your comment and a Merry Christmas to you and your family.

coach, what was your fondest greenville match coaching and non coaching?

My fondest match was the 1965-66 school year that we beat Greenville for the very first time.  As a non coach last years Greenville-Reynolds match was probably the most exciting.

Coach, you have been to thousands of matches and tournaments. How would you rate the Reynolds fans?

Thank you.

They are true blue and gray.

Just wanted to let you know how very proud I am of all of your accomplishments. You worked very hard to build a succesfull wrestling program at Reynolds and its wonderful to see the tradition continue. Our family has some wonderful memories because of your involvement in wrestling . (It's always easier to just agree with Vicki - if we don't she can make your life miserable!)

How well I know.  Thanks for your comment.

how aggresive should wrestlers wrestle?

The most aggressive wrestler usually wins if they stay within the rules of good sportsmanship.

Coach,

The wonders of the internet all the way from Houston, Texas. If your not aware, Texas, mostly the Houston area is new to wrestling but through the internet I can enjoy listening to a sport that gave me so much by keeping up with PA States and Reynolds Wrestling through the website.

I just wanted to thank you and all my coaches from elementary through High School for teaching MORE then wrestling but ideals and values that apply to everyday life.

Good talking to you.

Mark Scott

Thanks for the note.  Good to hear from you.  Hope your family has a Merry Christmas.

who do you think is the most aggressive wrestler on this years team is? and in the 90's.

Justin Hollobaugh on this year's team.  In the 90's Casey Taylor and Justin Nestor

Hi Coach - I was a cheerleader and loved having the best seat in the house at wrestling matches. My college friends couldn't believe how much I knew about wrestling, but I was sorely disappointed in the wrestling at my college. It just wasn't the same caliber that you inspired at RHS. My brother once won the BAGUBA award, but I've forgotten what it was given for. Can you enlighten me? Thanks - Vera (Bees) Shaver RHS '77

BAGUBA - Brutal Aggressive Guy Uninhibited By Adversity

how did you used to motivate wrestlers to wrestle so hard?

Thats a well kept secret.   You would have to ask one of the motivated wrestlers.

mr.Lineman
how did you first get involved in wrestling? and Why?

In 1948 during gym class Mr. Mel Berry was teaching a class on wrestling. At the end of the class Coach Berry asked me to come out for wrestling as an 8th grader.  I enjoyed the contact sport and Mr. Berry spurred the desire to become a good wrestler.  He was very instrumental in my life.   After five years he helped me gain entrance to Purdue University on a partial scholarship and the rest is history.

Is it true that you keep the shoes of all your state champions? Thank you

Yes.  Their names are on the shoes and their weight class and the year they won the title.  They are presently hanging on my rec room wall.   Note that photos of these shoes will be posted in the History Section later on in the season.

did you ever wrestle? and where did you and what was your record if so?

Yes, Penn High School, Greenville, PA  1948-52.  46-8 Record

what did you say to Jim Gollener before he walked out on the mat for the teams first state title?

Lets go home a winner....and he responded.

How do you feel about the use of body fat measurements to determine weight classes for the wrestlers? Thank you

I think it is very important to help the doctors determine the weight class that a wrestler should compete in.  I feel it should be a PIAA rule that all wrestlers in the State of Pennsylvania have the body fat measurements prior to the start of the wrestling season.

Coach, We're enjoying your chat tonight. Hope you do this again.

Thanks, it's been fun.  Hopefully we will do another later in the season.

Coach, Could you tell us what you consider the 2 or 3 most important things you did that contributed to the team's success?

CC '72

Hopefully I was able to teach skill and technique and was a good motivator. 

if you could go back in time and change one thing what would you change?

I would have remained for another 15 years as the head coach of the Reynolds Raiders.

Coach,
With all the great matches you've coached, would you be able to narrow it done to one or two which really stick in your mind as being the best?? I know it isn't fair to do this too you.
Thanks for all the great memories....

In the Greenville-Reynolds match in 1968 Bob (Bear) Loveless pinned his cousin Dennis Berry in the first period of the heavyweight  match to secure a victory for the Raiders.  In 1972 Chuck Coryea pinned the heavyweight from Iroquois High School to win the match for Reynolds.  They were both undefeated up to that match.

who do you think would win in there primes..
Justin Nestor or Casey Taylor?

Ask me after the state finals this season.

Coach, would you say that one of your most disapointing loses might have been 66-67 ,say , at Lakeview ,I know it sure sounded like it to me especially the next day
Lon

Without question  that was the most disappointing loss in my career.  Good to hear from you Lon.  Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Coach Lineman, did you have any wrestlers that had trouble making weight ?

Enjoying your comments, Happy Holidays.

Yes, many!!

what do you think of the new rule that you have to keep your shoe laces taped, or secured, to the shoes?

I think it is a great rule.  They should have made this a rule years ago.

Coach,
I want to thank you for all the great memories you have given me, from allowing me to roll around in the gym with your son when we were both too little to wrestle 'for real', to all the great matches that I have attended while you were at the helm.
Thanks for building a wrestling program that's unsurpassed in the state. You are the reason why the term TRADITION is associated with Reynolds wrestling.

Thanks for your comment.  Hopefully it inspired you to become a wrestler.

What would you say is the one KEY factor in keeping up the sucess of Reynolds Wrestling through all these years?

Consistency in the coaching program.  Also hard working and dedicated participants along with tremendous support from the parents and fans.

do you think we should get rid of the lewistown tournament and find a more tough tournament?

Check with Coach Hills.

Coach, Where did the BAGUBA award come from? Do they still give it out?

Yes they still give it out (BAGUBA was explained in an earlier answer)

do you like those silver singlets?

Yes but Reynolds or Raiders should be on the front.

I occasionally see you jogging. How many miles do you do a week?

40-45 miles per week.  Are you a jogger?

When you have you next chat, will it be advertised in the Record Argus? I think it should.

Happy Holidays

Yes, we will attempt to put it in.

what do you think of the new dual meet championship? i think its great. what did you think of the very first one?

They are too close to the State championship tournament.   The first one was great.

Here's the "inside skinny" on how Coach Lineman motivated us to wrestle hard. It was the "extree ice cream " that you would get, on those occasions that we dined after away matches,for recording more takedowns, escapes, reversals,etc. against our practice workout partners. He even had the managers keep count of such. Talk about "Pavlov's Dogs"... we were programmed daily...ha ha. I think he wrote his Master's Dissertation on the effects of the daily programming. It was probably more fun for him than turning the thermostat up to 95 in the cafeteria before practice started !!!

" ONE WHO KNOWS "

Thanks for the memories..

Reynold Wrestling rocks, thanks for making it so Coach Lineman. I believe Ali would beat Marciano in wrestling if you coached Ali (take that David!)

Great comment.

Coach,
do you still get excited and wish you were "down on the mat" during the big dual as well as individual matches?
Luke Taylor

Yes - just ask the individual beside me.  My body still moves back and forth with the moves.  Thanks Luke.

Coach,
not only were you a great role model back in your coaching and teaching days, you still are.
An admirer

Thanks.

what is the best wrestled match you have ever seen?

The 1973-74 Greenville-Reynolds match at Westminster.

Coach because of you and "elimations" at practice, I can say I got to wrestle for the Reynolds Raiders. Thank you for being so fair.

You're welcome.  You must have been a dedicated wrestler.

stay on a little longer

We already have run over close to a half hour.  This was the first try at having a chat on the site.  It seems to have worked well and we hope to have a couple more during the season.

Coach, how does it make you feel when you and Brian Hills are considered to be the best coaches in Reynolds history? My entire family has grown up around the Reynolds Wrestling Tradition, and you were the one who started it all. Thanks so much, you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday!!

It makes me feel great and to know that Brian Hills and his teams are carrying on the winning tradition.

From another "one who knows" The matches in the Reynolds cafeteria during practice were some of the greatest matches the public never saw. Would you agree Coach ?

Yes I agree.

Great chat session! Good questions and excellent responses. Let's all get together and do it again sometime. As for me, I'm going to bed. I think your wife would tell you the same. Good night, thanks for the memories (Forksville vacations, overnights at Grandma's, and watching for you to come home so we could all eat supper). Good night.

Good Night