Class of 2019

Coach Dereck Bigford was introduced to the sport of wrestling in 1972 during his 7th grade school year. This introduction came during a wrestling unit in physical education while attending the Sherburne Earlville School District and would ignite his passion for the sport. As a 9th grader, Coach Bigford would make the decision to become a physical education teacher and wrestling coach, one of the most important decisions of his life. His wrestling career included two years at the junior high level, four years at the varsity level in high school, and four years as a varsity wrestler at Brockport State. During his college years, Brockport captured Division III National Championships in 1980, 1982, and 1983. The team also finished as runner-ups in 1979 and 1981. Coach Bigford placed as a Division III All-American in both 1981 (4th) and 1982 (2nd).

At the conclusion of his college career, his coaching career began. In 1983, while doing his student teaching at Holley High School, he coached the varsity wrestling program. He then coached two years at the helm of Sherburne Earlville before concluding at Cicero-North Syracuse for 30 years. During the 30 years at CNS, Coach Bigford won 10 league titles and was named Coach of the Year 10 times. Bigford coached 15 Section III Champions and 5 New York State place winners at CNS. The 2006 and 2011 teams placed 3rd in Section III and the 2011 team was crowned Section III Class AA Champions. During Coach Bigfords 30 years at CNS, the program hosted countless numbers of wrestling tournaments. One season the program conducted 11 tournaments counting high school, open and youth tournaments. Also during that time, CNS hosted the Section III Finals once. At the conclusion of his varsity coaching, career Coach Bigford had a total of 334 wins. Coach Bigford also was a member of the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association for 25 years, along with being a member of the Section III Wrestling Committee for 15. Along with helping shape the lives of the student athletes in the North Syracuse School District, he has coached with the Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club since 1988 and continues to do so at the present time. Following his coaching career at CNS, he has coached the modified wrestling program in the Phoenix School District.