Western Colorado University Athletics

Lifetime Athletic Achievement Award Winner

Whittingham wrestled at Western State from 1968-71. The Olathe High School grad qualified for the National Championships as both a junior and senior and as a senior went 27-3 and was undefeated in dual meets. Whittingham graduated from Western State in 1972 with a degree in Physical Education. He then moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1974 where he began coaching wrestling at Tanana Junior High for 24 years. During that stretch he also coached boys basketball for four years and volleyball for two years. Whittingham started the Tanana Invitational Wrestling Tournament in 1975 and it is still known today as the largest wrestling tournament in Alaska, averaging almost 400 wrestlers from sixth to eighth grades. He also helped establish the Wrestling Officials Organization in Fairbanks and in 1994 was inducted into the Alaska Wrestling Hall of Fame. Whittingham is recognized as a pioneer in the sport of wrestling in Alaska.