Willie Gadson

Willie was a student and wrestler at Nassau Community College in 1972. He was Nassau’s best wrestler in the past sixty years. Willie won two NJCAA National Titles, finished with a record of 45-0 over those two years and was named NJCAA wrestler of the Year in 1973. He was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1986 and into the Nassau Community College Hall of Fame in 2011.

After Nassau, Willie went to Iowa State University a perennial wrestling powerhouse, where he earned All American honors and a Bachelor’s degree. After graduating from Iowa State University, Willie started his coaching career, where he coached at both the High School and College level.

Coach Gadson overcame many obstacles during his time at Nassau Community College in order to improve his life both in the classroom and on the wrestling mat.
This scholarship will be given to a Nassau Community College wrestler that emulates Willie’s determination and success in the classroom and on the mat.