Hall of Fame
Nate Croley left a lasting legacy on Cumberland Wrestling both as one of the program's top competitors and as a coach who continues to elevate the Phoenix on the national stage. One of the most accomplished wrestlers in program history, Croley finished his career with 92 victories while earning NAIA All-American honors twice at the 157-pound weight class. A two-time Second Team All-Mid-South Conference selection and three-time MSC All-Academic honoree.
Croley's rise on the national level began during the 2015-16 season when he earned his first All-America honor after placing seventh at the NAIA National Championships in Topeka, Kan. Wrestling at two different weight classes throughout the year, he posted a 30-9 overall record, including a 25-6 mark at 157 pounds. He followed that performance with an even stronger senior season in 2016-17, repeating as an NAIA All-American while improving to a third-place national finish with a stellar 32-10 record.
A native of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Croley was also part of the historic 2016 Cumberland team that captured the Mid-South Conference Postseason Championship, the first conference postseason title in program history. Following graduation, where he earned his bachelor's degree in special education in 2017, Croley returned to Cumberland's wrestling room as an assistant coach in 2018 and spent six years helping shape the next generation of Cumberland wrestlers. During his coaching tenure, Croley helped mentor 16 NAIA All-Americans and three national finalists, and one NAIA National Champion.
