James Harold “Bat” Buress Jr.

First African American to win an Indiana high school wrestling championship (127 pounds, 1953), beat reigning state champion John Neubauer of Lafayette Jeff in finals, 7-3 … coached by Hall of Famer Clifford “Two-Bits” Myers … teammate John Ramsey said “Bat never weighed more than 130 but hit like 180” … After Army service, worked 21 years as engineer in South Bend School Corporation – ushered Notre Dame football games for 20 years … inducted Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame 2011 … died at 82 in 2016, survived by wife Annette, 3 sons and 3 daughters. He was very active as “HiY, Orchestra, B-Men, Commercial Club, Student Council, Football, Track and Wrestling” were listed as his school activities.