The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Chapter, have announced the upcoming induction of seven individuals into the Hall of Fame for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” or as “Outstanding American,” indicating, “This award is to honor and recognize people for their years of commitment as positive role models to our student athletes.”
One of the 2025 honorees is the late Greg Aprahamian, who was known and appreciated by many in Whitewater. As was mentioned in his obituary, “He invested in properties in Whitewater and made great strides in revitalizing the downtown area.”
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame said of the honorees, “These individuals have given countless hours of their time instilling in young people the skills needed to succeed in all areas of life. They and their legacy will be permanently recognized at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma.”
The Hall of Fame Honors Ceremony/Banquet will be held at Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Greg’s family provided The Whitewater Banner with the following bio and list of accomplishments.
Early Life and Family
Greg Aprahamian was born on August 22, 1962, to Dr. Charles and Patricia Aprahamian. As the
second youngest of six brothers, Greg grew up in a household where four older siblings taught
him resilience and toughness from an early age.
High School Achievements
Greg excelled as an athlete at Brookfield East High School, starring on the football and track and
field teams. However, wrestling was his true passion. Pouring his heart and soul onto the mat, he
built an impressive high school wrestling career.
Education and Early Career
Greg knew early on he wanted to be an educator and coach. He began his higher education at
UW-Platteville, wrestling with the team, before transferring to UW-Stout. There, he earned a
Bachelor of Science in Technology Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Driven to
advance, he returned to UW-Platteville for a Master’s Degree in Industrial Technology,
completed in 1987.
Coaching Career at Muskego
In 1987, Greg joined the Muskego School District as a teacher and coach for football, track and
field, and wrestling—a sport with a strong tradition at Muskego. Starting as an assistant
wrestling coach, he became head coach in 1992, serving until 1998. His pinnacle came in 1994
when he led Muskego to its first and only Team State Championship. That year, he also earned
Coach of the Year, an honor he deeply cherished. His dual meet record was an impressive 116-
29, with a near-perfect 48-1 in conference duals, three Team State appearances, and numerous
state qualifiers and place winners.
Building a Legacy at Kettle Moraine
In 1999, Greg took a teaching and coaching role at Kettle Moraine High School. The wrestling
team initially had talent but lacked numbers—a challenge he met by recruiting from his football
and track teams, including novices and former wrestlers. His strategy transformed the underdog
squad into a powerhouse. In 2001, he led Kettle Moraine to its first and only Classic 8
Conference Championship. Over his tenure, he coached 10 state place winners, one state
champion, and many qualifiers, solidifying his reputation as a program builder.
Coaching His Children at Mukwonago
From 2006 to 2012, Greg coached at Mukwonago High School to guide his sons, Ryan and
Tyler, donating his salary to fund mats and assistant coaches. His daughters, Brittany and Megan,
served as team managers and statisticians, helping the team secure multiple Team State
appearances and Conference Championships. After his sons graduated, he returned to Kettle
Moraine, coaching middle schoolers with Tyler to spark interest in high school wrestling.
Planning to retire in 2018, Greg coached his final year of teaching, staying close to the wrestlers
he mentored.
Supporting Ryan’s Wrestling Journey
Greg’s oldest son, Ryan, wrestled at UW-Whitewater, where the team placed second nationally
in 2014. Greg and his wife, Tammy, enjoyed traveling with other parents to cheer at meets and
tournaments, proud of Ryan’s dedication and the team’s success.
Lifelong Learning
Beyond his degrees, Greg pursued additional coursework throughout his career, reflecting his
commitment to growth. Licensed to teach Technology, Science, Engineering, Construction, and
Automotives, he was an accomplished educator and coach with over 30 years of experience. He
helped student-athletes reach their potential, leading teams to victories. Greg taught wrestlers to
improve form and use techniques to boost speed and endurance while minimizing injury risk. He
guided them to peak performance, priding himself on core conditioning, collaboration, effective
methods, and enthusiasm. He also instilled motivation and dedication in his own children.
Legacy and Family
Tragically, Greg passed away unexpectedly on January 18, 2023, just before he and Tammy
were to enjoy retirement. He left a rich legacy, touching countless lives through his years of
teaching and coaching. Survived by four adult children—Brittany (Daniel) Dubnicka, Ryan
(Daysi) Aprahamian, Tyler Aprahamian, and Megan (Daniel) Edwards—his memory lives on
through his grandchildren, Raylee, Drew, Max, Jackson, and Gregory, with hopes of more to
come, and in the many lives he shaped as a coach, teacher, and father.
Muskego:
- 116-29 Dual Meet Record
- 48-1 Conference Dual Meet Record
- 3 Team State Appearances
- Team State Championship in 1994
- Coach of the Year 1994
Kettle Moraine: - Led Kettle Moraine to its first and only Classic 8 Conference Championship in 2001
- 10 State place winners
- 1 State Champion
Mukwonago: - 7 seasons with Mukwonago, teams won Classic 8 Conference 6 out of 7 seasons
- Team State appearances in 2006, 2007, 2011
- Team state semifinals 2011
- Achievement:
Coached at 3 different Classic 8 Conference Teams: Muskego, Kettle Moraine, Mukwonago
The following are links for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Chapter. Wendall Bean was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2022.
https://nwhof.org/
https://nwhof.org/state-chapters
https://nwhof.org/state-chapters/wisconsin
