Ray TakahashiLONDON, Ont. -- Ray Takahashi, the long-time leader of the Western Mustangs wrestling program, has decided to retire after 32 seasons as head coach. Scott Proctor, who's served as an assistant coach with the Mustangs since 2005, will take over as the team's new head coach.
"I have been fortunate to represent wrestling for the past 32 years and I consider myself very lucky to have coached so many student-athletes who strive for excellence while maintaining a strong balance with their studies and athletic goals," said Takahashi. "I know too, that I have personally developed through the educational sport process at Western by 'rubbing shoulders' with my coaching colleagues, as well as with the faculty members in the School of Kinesiology.
"Scott Proctor knows the program well, and he will lead the program with a full and easy transition. Scott is capable, reliable, and hard-working, and he is likely the most underrated coach in U SPORTS. I am happy that he will have the opportunity to lead Western Wrestling."
"We are thankful for the leadership and commitment that Ray Takahashi has had for the Mustangs wrestling program over the past 32 years," said Chuck Mathies, Manager of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Few have had the impact on Mustang Athletics that Ray has had as both a student-athlete and coach, and although he's stepping away from his role as head coach he will always be part of the Mustangs family."
Takahashi is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in both the history of wrestling and athletics in general at Western. Arriving at Western in 1978, Takahashi dominated the university wrestling circuit, winning four CIAU Championships in his four years as a Mustang. His efforts were recognized by the university in 1982 when he was named the winner of the Dr. Claude Brown Memorial Trophy, alongside fellow Mustang legend Greg Marshall, as the male student-athlete who has made the greatest contribution to intercollegiate athletics at Western.
Along with his success at the university level Takahashi excelled on the international stage as well, earning titles at the Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, and was a three-time Olympic team member. He was also a multi-time Canadian Champion at both the junior and senior levels, and was named Canadian Wrestler of the Year in both 1978 and 1984. In 1991 he was inducted into the Wrestling Canada Hall of Fame.
In 1985, Takahashi returned to Western to pursue his MA in Coaching and also took the reins of the Mustangs wrestling program. Takahashi continued to build the men's program into one of the top teams in the country, and established the Mustangs women's team in 1996-97. In his years at the helm he's led the purple and white to five OUA men's championships and two OUA women's championships, along with a CIAU men's championship in 1990. He's been recognized for his coaching success as a 10-time OUA Coach of the Year and the 1990 CIAU Coach of the Year award.
He'll hand the leadership of the program to Proctor, who himself has decades of experience as a Mustang. A three-year captain of the Mustangs, Proctor is a two-time medalist at the then CIAU championships, earning silver in 1997 and bronze in 1998. Upon graduation Proctor was recognized for his athletic accomplishments with a Purple Blanket, presented to student-athletes that are judged to have made an outstanding contribution to Western Athletics.
"I'm very excited for this opportunity and am honoured to have the chance to be a head coach at Western," said Proctor. "I'm looking forward to a great season, we have a strong team with a number of great wrestlers and we will be looking to build off our strong showings from last year at the OUA and U SPORTS championships.
Following his time as a student-athlete, Proctor transitioned to a coaching, joining the Western squad as an assistant coach in 2005. Considered by Takahashi to be his 'right-hand man,' Proctor handled everything from day-to-day coaching responsibilities to running and organizing events. Passing on the skills he learned as a competitor and nationally accredited coach, Proctor has a wealth of experience in teaching the current generation of Mustangs, something that he plans to continue to build on as head coach.
"I've had the opportunity to be an assistant coach alongside Ray for the last 10+ years and have learned a tremendous amount under his mentorship. I will work hard to build on the strong foundation Ray has established".
Although Takahashi stepped down from his coaching role on July 1, he'll still be close by as he continues to serve as a lecturer in Western's School of Kinesiology as well as a volunteer assistant coach with the Mustangs.
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