The Noah Harris Wrestling Center was full for its first night of action.
The newly-transformed facility at the Larry Walker Education Center opened its doors last Tuesday for Gilmer High School’s annual Purple and White Alumni Night.
The work of dozens of dedicated individuals was on display, and the program celebrated its illustrious past and its flourishing current state while honoring the late 1st Lt. Noah Harris.
The building that bears Harris’ name offers a glimpse into who he was and who he became. The lobby’s shadow box is filled with memories, photographs, medals and plaques celebrating his life from a youth wrestler to an Army lieutenant.
The NHWC will serve the boys and girls wrestling programs at both GHS and Clear Creek Middle School. Not only will all wrestlers gather there for daily practices, but it will also host regular season matches and tournaments rather than the gyms at GHS and CCMS.
Ahead of the night’s wrestling, GHS head coach Josh Ghobadpoor, principal Derek Bowen and Noah’s parents, Rick and Lucy Harris, addressed the crowd.
Rick and Lucy shared stories of Noah’s upbringing and his decision to join the military in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Rick urged the students in attendance to “read about what Noah did” and to “follow Noah, emulate his character and determination and live the best life you can.”
“We certainly appreciate everything everyone has done to make this (new facility) happen,” said Rick, who referred to Noah as ‘my hero.’ “It’s just mind-boggling, and from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate it and just want to thank you all. It’s been almost 20 years since he passed, and he’s still being held up as a role model, and it’s just amazing that his legacy is continuing.”
Lucy expressed her admiration for the new facility and believes it is the ideal location because of the history the building possesses. The NHWC’s Larry Walker Education Center location was formerly Gilmer High and Gilmer Middle School. It is where Harris was introduced to wrestling and where his love for the sport blossomed.
“All of you wonderful fans, he would have loved to see so many of you,” said Lucy, who stressed the importance of determination and resilience. “At some point — every time you’re in this gym, and this is for all the spectators, too — close your eyes just for a minute and listen to the spirit of the Bobcat.”
The facility also serves as an expanding monument to Gilmer High’s rich and extensive wrestling heritage. All 179 state placers names’ are printed on a wall, 19 state title trophies adorn the lobby, as does a giant photo of its latest state championship team. State title and runner-up banners hang from the rafters above the mats in the competition area.
“To have all of our wrestling teams in one facility — again, we’re one program — and to utilize all the skill sets we have as coaches and wrestlers, this building has taken shape. It’s more than a building. This is our new home,” Ghobadpoor said.
“We tried to bring the spirit of the old Noah Harris Center, of that room, to this facility. I cannot tell you how grateful we are for this building and for this opportunity and for everyone who came out and helped us. At any given time, there were maintenance workers here, wrestlers, coaches, custodians, administrators and so many people who were in this facility to try and make it better and make it appropriate for what we are trying to do and our vision for it.
“All of Gilmer County has done an amazing job to make this happen.”