Ken Chertow leaving Div. II Queens University for another coaching opportunity
After one season with Division II Queens University of Charlotte, longtime Centre County resident Ken Chertow is moving on for another wrestling coaching opportunity.
Queens’ athletic director made the announcement earlier this week, although the future opportunity is not yet known. Chertow — an Olympian and Penn State All-American — told the Centre Daily Times he would be able to share more “in a few weeks” but declined to elaborate regarding specifics about his next move.
“We like it here in the south, but may return to State College,” Chertow said in a written statement. “I may also return to college coaching. I had a few coaches who know me well call me this week and am examining my options.”
Chertow, whose wrestling camps and clinics remain a Centre County staple, first became interested in the Queens job last spring. He enjoyed the fact he was starting the program from scratch and also that it was located in Charlotte, N.C.
In the team’s first season this past year, it finished 5-8 with 24 wrestlers on the roster.
“I want to thank Ken for his efforts to lay a foundation for Queens wrestling,” AD Cherie Swarthout said in a written statement. “Ken is internationally recognized in amateur wrestling, and his enthusiasm for collegiate wrestling will pay dividends at Queens for years to come. We wish him well as he pursues a different coaching opportunity.”
Chertow’s full statement to the CDT
At the moment my focus is on Ohio State @ Penn State, should be an incredibly exciting and competitive dual meet. What a great event for our sport!! It should be at BJC. It would be ideal to have more Penn State duals st BJC to keep promoting and growing our sport.
We need to expose more new people to our unique sport and historical program that is Penn State Wrestling.
As for me, I have had a great experience coaching college wrestling. I love it.
In a short time last spring I brought in over 20 dedicated students from a dozen states, and it has been awesome training them and seeing them
Improve daily. I recruited 12 more current high school seniors who committed for next year. They are all students I met and trained at in my Gold Medal Training Camp System who I think highly of.
We are going to focus now on preparing for our Gold Medal Training Camp at the State College Ramada Inn Conference Center. July 15-23, while also continuing to help coach our AdvoCare Nutrition Team that is now over 1000 families and growing.
Laurie and I would also like to see the Home Training Center in Boalsburg thrive. Right now St. Joe uses it for practice and it is nice to see so many of my past students excelling under Coach Pat Flynn’s leadership and guidance.
Our residence and attached building are for sale. The 4 acre complex can be used for any purpose such as doctor or lawyers offices or any business. We also welcome it being used full time for wrestling. David Taylor and his wife Kendra toured the property twice. Would be great to see Ira Lubert, Galen Dreibelbis and the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club buy it as a place for elite athletes to live together as they train for the 2020 Olympics.
We like it here in the south, but may return to State College. I also may return to college coaching. I had a few coaches who know me well call me this week and am examining my options.
This story was originally published February 3, 2018 at 8:03 PM with the headline "Ken Chertow leaving Div. II Queens University for another coaching opportunity."