From Case Western Reserve University Athletics

Case Western Reserve University James C. Wyant Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education TJ Shelton announced the hiring of David Shapiro as the sixth Head Coach of the Spartan wrestling program on Friday.

"I would like to thank TJ Shelton, Joel Eckert, and the rest of the search committee for selecting me to become the next Head Wrestling Coach of Case Western Reserve University," Shapiro said. "I am beyond excited to be joining a prestigious institution with such a rich tradition academically and athletically. Throughout the search process it was apparent to me that CWRU is a great place to work and coach. I cannot wait to get started with the talented young core and veteran leadership on the team and build on the momentum of previous seasons."

Shapiro comes to CWRU after working as an assistant coach at Baldwin Wallace University, his alma mater, for the last six years. During the six seasons, the Yellow Jackets compiled a record of 84-12, won five Ohio Athletic Conference championships, and placed first in the Central Region twice. Most recently, the team finished third overall at the 2023 NCAA Championships with an NCAA champion at 149 pounds and national runner-up at 125 pounds.

"We are excited to have David join the Spartan family and to continue to build on the proud tradition of wrestling at CWRU," Shelton said. "David not only has a strong technical background as both a national-qualifying wrestler and a coach of one of the most respected programs in the country, but his vision for the holistic development of his student-athletes make him an ideal fit for our program. Furthermore, his background in college admissions and student leadership will make him a valued member of the campus community. All of these traits allowed him to create an immediate connection with the team that will give him the opportunity to hit the ground running. We are looking forward to the future of the CWRU wrestling program under David's leadership."

With BW, Shapiro worked individually with student-athletes, honing their skills for the mat. He helped with recruiting, integrating multiple strategies to bring potential student-athletes to Berea, and assisted with the program's social media accounts to promote the university. Shapiro was also instrumental in developing and maintaining the culture of the Yellow Jacket program, facilitating relationships with team members around the core values of the team. The BW wrestling team earned NWCA Scholar All-America Team honors in each of the last five years, finishing as high as second in Division III in team grade point average following the 2018-19 season.

"David was a member of my inaugural recruiting class at Baldwin Wallace. He is a huge reason our program is where it is at today. I cannot think of a better person to be the next Head Wrestling Coach at CWRU," said Baldwin Wallace Head Coach Jamie Gibbs. "David is someone that builds meaningful relationships with anyone he may meet, and I am excited to see how he will help the CWRU wrestling program continue to elevate on and off the mat. He is an exceptional leader of young men and will be missed greatly here at BW."

When he was a student at Baldwin Wallace, Shapiro wrestled for the Yellow Jackets under Gibbs, qualifying for the NCAA Championship in 2014. During that season, he earned All-OAC Second Team and All-Mideast Region honors and set a single season program record with 40 wins, including 13 pins. He finished his career with an overall record of 110-40, the eighth most wins in BW history.

After receiving his undergraduate degree, Shapiro worked as an intern in the BW Admissions office for one year and became a First-Year Student Admission Counselor in July 2018. He recruited Ohio, Indiana, and Western New York, and also served as the admission liaison for varsity athletic coaches.

While at Baldwin Wallace, Shapiro showcased a commitment to developing the holistic student. In May 2019, he was named the manager of the university's Ratcliffe Growth Practice, which helps mentor and coach a small group of student interns each year in consulting projects and professional development. He assisted graduates in finding full-time work or acceptance into a graduate program and was an adjunct professor, teaching a course on entrepreneurship, innovation, and character-based leadership.

Shapiro graduated from Baldwin Wallace with a Bachelor of Arts in exercise science in 2016 and earned a Master of Arts in Education in 2018 from BW. His official start date is Monday, August 21.

What they're saying:
"I am really excited for David and Case Western Reserve University. Having had the privilege to know long-time CWRU Coach Bob Del Rosa, I know Coach Shapiro will carry on his legacy of academic and competitive excellence. He is a tremendous leader of young men and will be a great addition to the Spartan family." – Steve Thompson, Director of Athletics, Baldwin Wallace University

"I am thrilled for David and the CWRU Wrestling program. I have known Dave for over 10 years now as a teammate, coaching colleague, and friend, and he brings with him a wealth of success in both wrestling and academics. He is a major reason for the growth and success of the BW Wrestling program and comes from one of the great wrestling minds in Jamie Gibbs. I'm excited to watch the continued growth of Case Western Reserve's Wrestling Program!" – Andrew Taylor, Head Wrestling Coach, Delaware Valley University