Wesleyan University

Blair Tugman joined the Cardinal wrestling staff for the first time in 2012-13 with a very impressive coaching and athletic resume, and returns for a fourth year during the 2015-16 campaign.  Before Wesleyan, Blair was the head wrestling coach at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Conn. having directed the program for two years after assisting for two years.  In his two seasons as head coach, Blair led his troops to historical landmarks with a 47-2 dual-season record, a 2012 Class L Title and a second-place finish at the 2012 New England Championships.  In 2011, Hand was the Class L runner up and third-place finisher in New England.  Blair was recognized by the New Haven Register as the “All-Area Coach of the Year” in 2012 for his achievements.

Blair also is the founder, owner, and head coach of the Team Tugman Wrestling Club, now located in Milford, Conn.  Blair has been instrumental in the development and enhancement of many Connecticut wrestlers in the seven years since starting the club and his club also played an integral training role in the Old Saybrook/Westbrook wrestling team pinning down a Class S State Title in only its fourth year of existence.

Blair attended Lock Haven University where he competed as a Division I athlete and attained a BS degree in sports administration with a minor in coaching in 2004.  Highlights for Blair during his collegiate career was becoming an AAU Freestyle Grand National Champion in 2001 along with place finishes at the Penn State Open and East Strousburg Open.  Blair also is a current MMA competitor, fighting out of Branford, Conn. at Calandrelli Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where he has a current record of 7-5.

Blair hails from New Jersey where he graduated from Middletown High School South.  He was a three time N.J. State Place Finisher (fifth, third and fourth), a four-time district champion, four-time region place finisher, and a four-time N.J. Freestyle High School State Champion.

Blair’s tremendous experience as an athlete and coach will help Wesleyan continue to develop and foster more champions in the future.