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Friends Remember Longtime Shikellamy Wrestling Coach

SHIKELLAMY — Friends and family of longtime Shikellamy High School wrestling coach Phil Lockcuff said he dedicated his life to the junior high wrestling p...

SHIKELLAMY -- Friends and family of longtime Shikellamy High School wrestling coach Phil Lockcuff said he dedicated his life to the junior high wrestling program, and to all the kids who came through it.

Friends said he was like a father to them.

"He turned a lot of good kids into a lot of good citizens. He just happened to choose wrestling as a platform to do that," said Joe Robsock, Shikellamy Athletic Director.

"He always had a smile on his face. He always made you smile, and we're going to miss him a lot around here," said Robsock.

Phil Lockcuff was 75 when he passed away last week.

During the days matches, friends and family honored him. Brett Michaels worked with Lockcuff for many years.

"Sitting in for Phil and trying to honor Coach by doing the broadcasting as effectively as possible, many times in the past I've substituted for him and been pretty close to him. He's a big part of my life, so yes to honor him," said Michaels.

Lockcuff was the head coach at Shikellamy High School from 1974 to 1998.

In his 24 year career, he's won three state titles, mentored 12 state champions, one national champion and three All-Americans.

"He really took your program to the top for years. We were in the top of the wrestling world in Pennsylvania," said Robsock.

"Coach was a great motivator, always got the best out of athletes, myself included. Everyone around him, he just knew how to motivate you, he knew how to coach the kids, just knew how to relate to you, everybody and got the best out of you at all times," said John Supsic, the current Head Coach of Shikellamy High School.

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