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    Mark Palmer •

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    Services set for ex-Ohio State mat coach Ford

    Funeral services have been announced for Chris Ford, former Ohio State head wrestling coach from 1976-86, who died Monday, Jan. 11 while hunting with one of his sons. He was 83.

    Visitation will take place Sunday, Jan. 17th from 3-8 p.m. at Schoedinger-Worthington Chapel, 6699 North High Street, Worthington, Ohio in suburban Columbus. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at noon at the same location, with visitation starting one hour earlier. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Coach Ford's name be made to support the Ohio State University Wrestling Practice Facility. Donations can be made online.

    Chris Ford
    Ford compiled a 115-92-3 record with the Buckeyes, fourth most in school history. He coached Jude Skove to the national title at 158 pounds at the 1986 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, giving Ohio State its first NCAA champion in 20 years. During the decade Ford was at the helm, the Buckeyes had 46 Big Ten place winners and six NCAA All-Americans. For his contributions to the sport, Ford was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1978, and into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010.

    Born in August 1934 in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Chris Ford launched his athletic career at Mansfield Senior High School, where he played football from 1949-52. Ford received a football scholarship from Bowling Green State University, where he first took up wrestling. After graduating from BGSU, he began his teaching and coaching career at Huron High School in Ohio.

    Ford left Huron for Ashland College (now Ashland University), where he was head wrestling coach, as well as coach for the football and soccer programs. While at Ashland, Ford coached 21 NCAA All-Americans, and was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1976. In addition, Ford served as the President for the NCAA College Division Wrestling Coaches Association for Divisions II and III, as well as President of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

    After completing his tenure as Ohio State mat coach, Ford became a financial and estate planner. However, he returned to coaching to start the wrestling program at Dublin Jerome High School outside Columbus, to coach his grandson, Mike Jr. With Chris Ford as coach, the new high school could claim 8 district qualifiers, 1 state qualifier and 5 first team All-Conference members.

    Even in retirement, Chris Ford led an active life, as a supporter of Ohio State athletics, and in various hobbies, including woodcarving. He celebrated his 80th birthday by skydiving with his three oldest grandchildren.

    Ford is survived by his wife of 57 years, Georgene, three children, and six grandchildren, along with two brothers.
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