Hugh Bates

Hugh Bates, a 1978 DeWitt graduate, earned four varsity letters in wrestling. Bates was DeWitt’s second wrestler to win multiple state championships, following in the footsteps of his older brother and fellow Hall of Famer, Larry. His success on the wrestling mat was almost predetermined as he learned his trade from his father (Larry) who was the state of Michigan’s first ever three-time state champion wrestler at Lansing Eastern in the 1950s. As a freshman, Bates was 30-7 at 98 pounds and became the first DeWitt freshman to qualify for the state tournament. The following year, he won an individual regional championship at 98 pounds on the 1976 Panther squad that finished third in Class C at states. He captured the first of his two state championships as a junior, dominating the 105-pound division and finishing the year 38-0.  As a senior, he successfully defended his state title at 105 pounds, ending the season 38-1.  Hugh’s career record was an incredible 140-11-2, winning 58 straight matches at one point.  The Panther wrestling team took fourth in Class C his senior year and he was selected by the Scholastic Wrestling News to the High School All-American Team. At the time of his graduation, Hugh held school records in career wins, consecutive wins and fastest pin – 12 seconds, tying him with his older brother. He was a four-time league champion as well as a three-time district and regional champion, to go along with his two state titles. He was a four-time Lansing State Journal All-Area honoree and a two-time “Dream Team” member. After his senior season in 1978, Hugh was chosen to join a team of college wrestlers and Olympic hopefuls to wrestle against a team from the Soviet Union in an exhibition match at Michigan State University.