LEROY VEGA, Head Coach

I started wrestling when I was 4 years old and I knew at a very young age I wanted to become a champion.  It was at that age my dream to be number one began.  In my young life I have wrestled at many levels and have strived to be number one everyday.  I promise that I have had my ups and downs throughout my years in this great sport.  But through it all wrestling has taught me many things.  Specifically that hard work, sacrifice, and dedication can take you to places you thought you would only dream about.  In December of 2003 I decided to retire from competitive wrestling and my dream to someday open my own facility began. A short while later, in April of 2005, the Vega Wrestling school was open to teach young kids that hard work and setting goals will take them far in life. In my school wrestlers will learn how to work hard and train to become champions.

While at the University of Minnesota he became the only wrestler in the schools history to never miss a dual meet.

Career Highlights:

• Two time Indiana State Champion
• Two time Junior National Champion
• Two time Junior All-World
• Two time Espoir National Champion
• Three time Åll-American
• Big Ten 125lb Champion in 2002
• Two time NCAA Team Champions

Other Experiences:

Played in Junior League Baseball World Series
Married July 26th, 2003 to college sweetheart who just gave birth to there first child named LillyAnna Joy Vega she weighed 7 pounds 14oz. and was 21" long.

BILL HAWKINS, Assistant Coach

Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Bill began wrestling when he was 6 years old.  Through the years he placed multiple times at the Youth State Tournaments. After moving to Indiana when he was 14 years old, Bill continued wrestling.  He qualified for the Indiana High School State Championships his junior year and was the runner up his Senior Year.  He began his college career at Triton Junior College in Chicago, where he became a Junior College All-American.  Bill then transferred to Edinboro University, a Division 1 program.  Here he was coached by Olympic Gold Medallist  Bruce Baumgardner.  After graduating in 1995, Bill moved back to Indiana and began coaching.

Coaching Highlights:

• 1 year  - Portage High School (1995-1996) Team Placed 3rd at State
• 10 years - Crown Point High School Varsity Assistant Coach
• 10 years - Crown Point Lightning Travel Team Head Coach
• Multiple Team Titles with Lightning
• Multiple State Champions from Lightning
• Multiple Team Indiana Members

Vega Wrestling Welcomes Bill Hawkins along with his wife Jennifer and their two children Anthony, 15, and Chase, 7.

Vince Sessa, Assistant Coach

Began wrestling at age 4. Multiple youth state titles. Three times IHSAA place winner finishing runner-up as a junior and going unbeaten his senior year winning the 119lbs state title for Lake Central High School. After high school Vince enrolled at Lassen Community College and become a Junior college All-American and member of the Junior College National Championship Team.
In 2000 he returned to the region and started his coaching career.

Coaching Highlights:

• 2000-2002 East Chicago Central Assistant
• 2002-2007 Lake Central Assistant
• 2002- Assistant coach AAU Middle School National Duals 2nd
• 2004- Head Coach AAU Elementary School National Duals 5th
• Head Coach Jr Cardinal Wrestling Club (East Chicago)
• Head Coach Indian Wrestling Coach (Lake Central)
• 1 IHSAA State Champion
• 4 IHSAA State Runners-up and Multiple state place winners

Vince and his wife Dawn have one child 8 month old Sontonio “Sonny” and reside in Dyer