Apprentice's Shumaker Near 100 Wins; Daughter Maggie Always by his Side

For the third year, I am posting one of my articles from the DAILY PRESS on the Virginia Duals. As always, it was a great outing this year, and I was happy to see U. VA win the National College Division, and local Poquoson HS walk away with the Black and Blue title. But, there's more to the tournament, and I was honored to be able to scribe five articles for the paper. The wrestling movement, especially among the youths here in Hampton Roads, is notable, and I'll dedicate some space to it in the coming weeks.

To see the article on the Daily Press website, click here:

HAMPTON – After almost 40 years as a wrestling coach, Apprentice’s Bruce Shumaker is approaching yet another milestone. Leading the Builders for the seventh year, Shumaker entered Saturday’s round just two wins shy of 100. (Note: Shumaker ended last weekend at 98.) 

Apprentice wrestling coach Bruce
Shumaker has received plenty of
help on the sideline from his
daughter Maggie.

While it is easy to fathom that an Apprentice assistant coach may have been present for the seven year run, it is a little more beyond the realm of normal thinking to believe that his scorekeeper has. In fact, Shumaker’s manager has been with the coach for well over twenty years, and started just after her own wrestling career was cut short in second grade by her concerned mother.

And when Bruce Shumaker reaches the magic 100-win mark, one can be sure that his scorekeeper and manager, who both happen to be his daughter Maggie, will be in attendance.

Now married, and living in Fayetteville, NC, the daughter Shumaker still gets to most of the matches. When asked how many she has missed, coach Shumaker interjected, “Well, she got married and missed two. But she’s been to every match, all the back to Mathews.”

Shumaker’s career’s coaching career stretches back to 1974, when he was an assistant, then head coach at Denbigh until 1980. After a year as an assistant at VMI, his other stops included Natural Bridge (six years), Mathews (nine years), and Lafayette (nine years). After a shade over thirty years (“probably 31”) at the high school ranks, Shumaker applied and was hired for the open coaching position at the Apprentice School.

Looking to fill his staff, Shumaker didn’t have to look far for his scorekeeper.

“She has been with me since elementary school,” recalls the coach. “Actually, she went to about 20 state tournaments in a row.”

Asked about her interest in wrestling, Maggie replies, “I just love wrestling and wrestled until second grade.”

That’s when her tomboyish ways became a concern. Says the coach, “She was a mat rat from the get go. Wrestled until her mother said “no more.” Maggie was probably in the second grade. But, I didn’t go to any wrestling event after that without her. She ate up wrestling, and could not get enough of it.”

So, how did the transition to team manager come about?

One night, coach Shumaker found himself without someone to keep the team’s official book. In a pinch, he turned to his young daughter.

When asked if she could remember his recruiting pitch, Maggie was quick with an answer, one which reflects just how youthful she was when taking on the position.

“He asked me, “Do you know how to count to five?” said the daughter, laughing at the recollection.”

Indeed, she could, and a new team manager was born.

Maggie’s prowess as the backbone of the team did not go unnoticed. During her senior year of high school, she was chosen as "USA Wrestling” magazine's manager of the year.

Coach Shumaker admits that “I love it when she’s here,” but also attaches a sidebar which indicates her managerial skills. “When she’s here, I know the score is going to be kept the right way.”

And she wouldn’t miss the opportunity this weekend to watch her Dad earn his 100^th college win for the world.

“That’s why I’m here!” she exclaims. Although her new home 250 miles away makes it harder to attend every meet, she is still an important part of the Builder team.

Aside from the milestone, there is another reason for Maggie to be in attendance at Hampton Coliseum this weekend.

Looking to the seat next to her in Section M of the Coliseum bleachers, she confesses, “Sorry Dad, but it’s always good to have an excuse to come to the Duals!”