Bio

In 1976, Joe Gonzales began his illustrious wrestling career at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) where he became a Community College State Champion and All-American and finished his associate's degree in physical education.

Joe’s wrestling accomplishments are impressive to say the least. He is a High School National Champion, California Junior College Champion, and NCAA College Champion while at California State University Bakersfield (CSUB), where he earned his bachelor degree in physical education. He is also the NCAA record holder for the most college wins in a single season with no defeats or ties (55-0-0), NCAA record holder for the most takedowns in a season (528), Tbilisi Champ in the Soviet Union (Russia), three time World Cup Champion, Bronze Medalist in the World Championships, five-time National Open Freestyle Champion, two-time Veterans National Champion, and a 1984 Olympian. In Sports Illustrated ’s May 3, 1982, edition, Joe was featured in an article, “Gonzo, Man on the Go.” He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the California Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Joe went back to ELAC to be an assistant wrestling coach, eventually coached at CSUB and at Arizona State University when they won their National Championship.

Joe’s commitment to California community colleges is evident in his involvement serving as a mentor at Cerritos College’s Puente Project; a national award-winning program whose mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges,  earn college degrees, and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations.

He has been a physical education teacher for the past twenty years and currently, he is a middle school physical education teacher in Santa Ana.