When athletic director Tim Bennett received a call from former Orange Panther wrestling coach Bobby Shriner early in the morning on January 10, Bennett was surprised.
Shriner hadn’t talked to Bennett since the summer, and the conversations between the two usually concerned the logistics of a wrestling match or tournament.
But Shriner’s phone call turned out to be welcome news: Chapel Hill wrestling coach Tripp Price had been selected into the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
In Price’s tenure at Chapel Hill, he has coached three high school All-Americans and nine state champions; twice he has been named conference coach of the year. He also started the Tiger Holiday Classic wrestling tournament, which has grown into one of the toughest tournaments in the Southeast. Last season, a total of 42 wrestling programs competed in the event.
Bennett decided that he wanted to make the announcement a surprise for Price. And, as it turned out, Chapel Hill happened to be hosting a wrestling match against Orange that night.
Bennett kept the news quiet to make sure Price got all the credit that he deserves.
“It was hard not to tell Coach Price,” Bennett said. “I wanted to tell him because I was so excited for him.”
Bennett notified Chapel Hill Principal Charles Blanchard about Price’s distinction at lunch and called Price’s wife to ask her if she could attend the match.
And just before the two teams were set to square off, Shriner, sitting in the bleachers, made his way down to the mat, alongside Bennett, to announce that the Tigers’ coach had been inducted into the North Carolina chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Price, though, was much more focused on the match, and his competitive spirit showed in his initial reaction.
“I was thinking, ‘Man, we’ve got a match to wrestle,’” Price said with a laugh.
When Bennett later heard about Price’s reaction, he was not surprised.
“That’s Coach Price,” Bennett said. “He’s humble and doesn’t seek recognition. It’s all about the program and the wrestlers.”
But the reality of the honor has started to sink in for Price.
“To be honest,” Price said. “It made me think about all the different people and kids that I worked with. A lot of emotions came flying back about all the things that happened over the years. It’s a great honor.”
Price, a wrestling coach at Chapel Hill since 1981, is most proud not of his record, but of his development of athletes on and off the mat.
“We want our wrestlers to do the right things and be student athletes,” Price said. “We want to give you skills that you can use in life.”
Jared Campbell, one of the three All-Americans whom Price coached, is currently an assistant coach at Chapel Hill.
Campbell wrestled at Appalachian State University, and now, coaching for Chapel Hill, he is still influenced by Price.
“Coach Price has never stopped being my mentor,” Campbell said. “Being able to coach alongside him has been an honor and a privilege. He is a selfless leader who aspires to help others become the best possible version of themselves.”
Campbell, who was also getting ready for the match, felt honored to be there for Price’s special moment.
“The night of the surprise announcement was incredible,” Campbell said. “Coach Price has had a lifelong service to the sport and this community, and being present when he found out about his induction was special.”
Bennett also appreciates all the hard work that Price has put in.
“Coach Price is one of those guys who you can count on,” Bennett said. “He’s a humble guy who loves the school, wrestling, and the whole athletic department. He has a great passion for this school.”
Senior wrestler David Cureton has been coached by Price for four years.
“It is really awesome that he is getting inducted,” Cureton said. “After all the work that he has done for the program over the years, he is very deserving. I am proud of him.”
Since being notified about his induction, many of Price’s former wrestlers, including members of Price’s very first team, have sent their congratulations to him.
Tony Hess, a 2017 Chapel Hill graduate and former member of the wrestling team, said that Price’s motivation helped him achieve his goals.
“Coach Price always pushed me and my teammates to be better which, in turn, gives everyone an incentive to push ourselves and each other,” Hess said. “Without Coach Price’s mentality, it would be hard to say I would be where I am now.”
Only time will tell how many more matches Price will win, or how many more state champions he will motivate—but he won’t be counting.
“It’s not about [wins and losses],” Price said. “I think that the most rewarding part of coaching at Chapel Hill is years later when the kids come back and tell you what it has meant to have been a part of the wrestling program.”
