Hall of Fame
When William E. “Bill” Berry came to Washington State from Pullman High School in 1957, he was considered too small at 5-foot-6 to play football. Only Cougar Wrestling Coach Bill Tomaras had an interest in Berry, despite his previous success in football. Berry had won numerous prep football awards and was the outstanding grappler in the state for two years. At Washington State, he turned out for freshman football and won a starting spot at guard. When his sophomore season rolled around there was Berry, again a starting guard. He returned to the mat following each football season and for two years ruled the Pacific Coast Conference at the 147-pound division. Three times he earned trips to the NCAA Championships. In 1964 and 1968, he just missed making the U.S. Olympic team, finishing second both times. Berry also spent over eight years in the U.S. Air Force.
