Bernie GossFor the last 50 years, Bernie Goss has been involved with the State Wrestling Championships as either an official, rules interpreter or officials’ liaison.
Goss has been a cornerstone in high school athletics on the Western Slope for five decades as an educator, athletic trainer, baseball and wrestling official and officials’ assignor.
His character and integrity in all areas has been what keeps him as one of the state’s premier officiating resources.
Wrestling is his passion and it shows in the recognition that has come his way over the years. He has been selected four times to officiate the CHSCA All-State North South Dual Match. He has been elected to a lifetime membership in the Colorado Wrestling Officials Association.
Goss is the recipient of the NFHS Distinguished Wrestling Officials Award (1995) and induction in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2005).
Goss was given the 2008 Lloyd Gaskill Award by the Colorado High School Coaches Association for his contribution to coaches and athletes and the 2013 Colorado Athletics Directors Association Community Service Award. In 2014, CHSAA recognized Goss’ 50 years of serving the state wrestling tournament.
That only tells part of the story, as Goss has been instrumental in official assigning across the Western Slope for nearly 20 years. His work with young officials is legendary and he continues to mentor officials in all sports, helping to create stronger officials’ organizations on the west side of the mountains.
In 1994, Goss was selected as High School Counselor of the Year by the Council on College/High School Relations. He was presented the Preston Walker Award by The Daily Sentinel for promotion and administration of recreational programs in Grand Junction
