NORTHUMBERLAND - Area wrestling fans are mourning the death of former Shikellamy Area teacher wrestling coach Phil Lockuff, who died early Friday morning at the age of 75.
Lockuff coached the Braves to state and national prominence from 1974-1998, leading the team to three PIAA Class AAA state championships, in 1984, 1985 and 1991. He coached 12 individual state champions and had a career record of 346-71-6.
Shikellamy had one state placewinner in school history before Lockuff took over and in his second season the Braves had three wrestlers place third. His 1985 team had six state placewinners, including
two champions, and his 1991 team sent eight wrestlers to the state meet, with two champions. Overall, Lockuff's teams produced 49 state placewinners.
After retiring as coach, Lockuff helped broadcast Shikellamy matches on WKOK 1070 AM radio.
Lockuff was inducted into the Pennsylvania Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also a member of the Bloomsburg University Sports Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, three daughters and two sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, a great-grandchild, a brother and sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews.
