During the next twenty seasons, Phillips was able to so what many would deem impossible. He won thirteen Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles (MEAC) being named Coach of the Year twelve times. He lead the Bears to five NCAA Division II top ten performances, including a high finish of fourth in 1984. His overall dual record was 197-95. It was also important to Phillips to try and grow the popularity of wrestling within the Baltimore, Maryland area. He did so by growing the fan base for dual meets & having Morgan State host the 1985 NCAA Division II championships. He saw wrestling as a fantastic sport for young black men, as well as all young men to be a part of. Upon his death many friends and family members said that while he was always proud of his accomplishments as a football player & as a football coach, what made him most proud was the time he spent as the wrestling coach. After he resigned from the position after the 1994-1995 season, Bears wrestling held on for two more seasons being discontinued at the completion of the 1996-1997 season.
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| William "Bucky" Smith 158 lbs |
Breaking the barrier at about every level, William "Bucky" Smith was the first at many levels. He was the first wrestler from a historically black college to win four MEAC titles. He also earned six All American honors during his prestigious career as well. During his freshman & sophomore seasons of 1977 & 1978 he finished as the NCAA Division II runner-up. In his sophomore campaign he also placed sixth at the NCAA Division I tournament. In 1979 he placed fifth in Division II. He'd save his best season for last, when he became the first wrestler from a historically black college to win the NCAA Division II title. This was not only in wrestling, but in any sport. He'd follow it up by taking runner-up honors in NCAA Division I.
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| Emanuel "Tiny" Yarbrough HWT |
Affectionately referred to as "Tiny" by his teammates, Yarbrough was a two time All American for the Bears during his career at Morgan State. During the Bears time in NCAA Division II he captured an eighth place finish at the 1983 championships. When the Bears transitioned into NCAA Division I status, he would place eighth in the 1986 championships. Post college Yarbrough had success in many endeavors. He tried his hand at both MMA & Sumo, winning a world championship in the later in 1995. He later got into acting, landing an occurring role on HBO's Oz and getting a small part in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler. We sadly lost Yarbrough in 2015.
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| Chauncy Wynn 158 lbs |
Wynn was a four time NCAA qualifier for the Bears earning All American status his senior year with a sixth place finish at the NCAA championships in 1996.
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| Dontae Smith 118 lbs |
Without a doubt Dontae Smith would have been a four time NCAA qualifier for the Bears during his career, but unfortunately after qualifying for the championships in 1991 as a freshman he would miss the entirety of the 1991-1992 season do to a hernia. He'd come back strong the next two seasons earning NCAA qualification in 1993 & 1994. A highlight of his career placing fourth at the Midlands as a senior.
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| Charlie Morgan 126 lbs |
With a last name like Morgan, where else would you wrestle? Charlie qualified for the NCAA championships in 1993, 1994 & 1995.
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| David Morgan 118 lbs |
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| John Davis |
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| Greg Veal |
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| Jeff Green HWT |
Two time Pennsylvania high school state finalist for Pottstown High School, Green was also a standout football player. When it came time to choose the mat or the gridiron, Green originally made the choice to play football. He entered the University of Kentucky with the intention of playing football for the Wildcats. Yet after a year he decided he missed wrestling as well as the east coast & he headed to Baltimore to join the Morgan State wrestling team. There he would take third place All American honors at the 1984 NCAA Division II championships.
Post college Green served our nation as a captain in the United States Army during the Gulf War. He later made the 1996 Olympic team. We sadly lost Green in 2003.
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| Albert Woody 134, 142 lbs |
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| Marlon Houston HWT |
Houston who also played football for the Bears was a two time NCAA qualifier in 1993 & 1996. After Morgan State axed the wrestling program, Houston finished up his career at Oklahoma State. His son, also named Marlon would be a starter on the Central Oklahoma football team years later.
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| Eldoardo Vance 137, 147 lbs |
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| Curtis Ellis 118 lbs |
Curtis Ellis had a standout career for the Bears during his time at Morgan State. A four time NCAA qualifier, Ellis won four MEAC titles & two Eastern Regional titles earning All American honors at the NCAA Division II level three times. He was sixth in both 1978 & 1979, taking eighth place in 1980. He finished his senior season with an overall record of 102-17.
Later in life as the owner of Real Image Media, Ellis became exceptionally involved in the community of Baltimore. He coached youth wrestling, ran a Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization & a Dog rescue.
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| Willard Crews 190 lbs |
Crews was a three time All American for Morgan State placing seventh in both 1980 & 1983, as well as eighth in 1982 at the NCAA Division II championships.
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| Chuck Kennedy 118 lbs |
A graduate of Kingston High School in Section I of New York, Kennedy was a three time state qualifier before coming to Morgan State. Competing for the Bears he made the NCAA Division II finals in 1984.
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