May Named to 2026 NWCA Hall of Fame Class
MANHEIM, Pa. - Baker assistant wrestling coach Jimmy May has been selected for induction into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame as part of the organization's 2026 NAIA Men's Wrestling Hall of Fame Class.
May, who currently serves as an assistant coach for Baker's men's and women's wrestling programs, was recognized by the NWCA for nearly five decades of coaching impact at the collegiate and high school levels, including his instrumental role in establishing Baker wrestling as a nationally respected NAIA program.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will officially be inducted Aug. 1 during the NWCA Convention at the Renaissance Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. May joins a five-member NAIA Men's Wrestling Hall of Fame class selected by the NWCA.
May became the inaugural head coach in Baker men's wrestling history when the program launched in 2008 and quickly guided the Wildcats into national relevance. BU opened its debut campaign with an 11-0 dual record before suffering its first defeat against the University of Iowa.
In just the program's third season, May led the Wildcats to a Kansas Cup championship while helping BU climb as high as No. 4 in the NAIA national rankings. The Wildcats also posted a top national finish of ninth during his tenure as head coach.
During his first stint leading the program, May coached two NAIA national finalists, eight All-Americans and 46 national qualifiers.
After returning to Baker in 2019 as assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs, May continued helping elevate the Wildcats on the national stage. Since his return, the Wildcats have produced 27 combined All-Americans between the men's and women's programs, including multiple national finalists and a national champion.
The Hall of Fame honor adds to an already decorated coaching career for May, who has also previously been inducted into the Nevada Chapter National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Hall of Fame and the University of Central Missouri Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Getting ready to enter his 50th year of coaching, May is coming off a 2025-26 season in which Baker women's wrestling produced seven national qualifiers and an NAIA All-American for the sixth straight year, while the men's program boasted four NAIA national qualifiers, its highest postseason total in three years.
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