By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Rootstown High School wrestling head coach Craig Wise, who is in his 12th year leading the Rovers’ program.

CRAIG WISE

Q: What schools did you attend growing up?

A: Rootstown Elementary, Rootstown Middle and Rootstown High School (Class of 1992). Wrestled all four years and played baseball through sophomore year.

Q: College?

A: Cleveland State University (Class of 1997). Degree in business administration.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Self-employed.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?

A: I wanted to make a positive impact on young Rover men.

Q: What makes being a coach at Rootstown special to you?

A: It is the place where I grew up.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence as a coach?

A: Dan Gnash. He was my high-school coach and has been on my coaching staff for a long time now. He taught me a lot on and off the mat.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: The Sopranos.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Gladiators.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Hank Williams Jr.

Q: Favorite food or meal?

A: Spaghetti.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Cancun with my family.

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: Ground and pound.

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Rovers student-athlete?

A: Pride and community.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Arnies.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Doug Mori.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of you?

A: Relax.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Dick Bonacci (college wrestling coach).

Q: Coaching resume?

A: 12th season as head coach of the Rootstown wrestling team.

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Cleveland Browns.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Bernie Kosar.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: Nick Chubb.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Growing and selling sweet corn by the side of the road.

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Birddog.