This weekend the 45th annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic goes down at the Fitzgerald Field House. During its incredible history, "the Rose Bowl of Wrestling" has featured some of the greatest names out sport has to offer.

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WPIAL vs MD 4:00 PM ET | PA vs USA 6:00 PM ET

Many of those athletes who competed in the PWC went on not only to tremendous collegiate and international careers, but several of them became successful coaches at the Division I level. We reached out to a dozen of those coaches to ask them about their experience with the event.

Oh, and all of them competed in the PWC before 2016 when it was still known as the Dapper Dan. As you will see, some of them are still having a hard time with the name change.

Northwestern head coach Matt Storniolo defeated Trent Paulson 6-4 in 2002.

"Growing up in Pennsylvania, I would always follow the team PA vs USA battles. Being selected to represent my home state was a huge honor and I'll never forget my experience of competing (and winning) at the Dapper Dan. I refuse to call it the Pittsburgh Classic!"

Oklahoma assistant Michael Lightner quickly learned about the rich history PA has to offer.

"It’s an amazing event. It shows all of the USA how much the state of PA embraces wrestling. It shows how blue collared the sport of wrestling is. It’s USA vs PA. The nation vs a State. That’s bold for a state to take that much pride in their craft. I’m all for it. I’m honored to have been a part of it. Growing up in Oklahoma, also a wrestling rich state, I never knew about what I was getting into. Looking back, it is an event I will never forget."

For Oklahoma State associate head coach Zack Esposito, the PWC was the culmination of a phenomenal high school career.

“A goal of mine, and I think I could say for the majority of high school wrestlers, is to be picked to compete in the Dapper Dan. I had the privilege to compete in the historical event and on a great team. 4 athletes from that evening went on to win a national title or multiple national titles.  And multiple athletes went on to be All-Americans and national finalists.”

Brown head coach Todd Beckerman wrestled for Team USA at the Classic in 1996.

"Being invited to compete in the prestigious Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic was an honor to wrestle for Team USA. The event was first class in Pittsburgh and I still stay in touch with many of the wrestlers from Team USA!"

Northern Colorado head coach Troy Nickerson beat Matt Fisk 2-1 in 2005.

"Loved wrestling in the event. Hospitality was excellent. Pennsylvania loves their wrestling and it was certainly one of the best and most hostile environments I competed in. Great for the sport."

American head coach Teague Moore feels a special connection to the PWC.

"The Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic has been a big part of the Moore family history. Tommy wrestled in 1980, Ty in 1990, and me in 1995. Ty made history with his victory over TJ Jaworsky and my battle with Cody Sanderson was one of many. The Classic helped grow the Moore family's legacy on the mat and we are forever indebted."

App State head coach JohnMark Bentley is one of just five wrestlers from North Carolina that have compete at the Classic.

"The Pittsburgh classic is one of the most prestigious events for high schools wrestlers in the country. I'll  never forget how honored I was as a high school senior from North Carolina being selected to represent the USA team."

Wyoming assistant Teyon Ware felt the pressure of being chose to compete at the PWC.

"I felt honored wrestling in the Dapper Dan, out of many wrestlers in the USA, I was called to represent, so I had no choice but to win!"

Illinois assistant Mike Poeta, and all three other Illini coaches, competed in and won a match for Team USA at the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic.

"It was an honor to be invited. The coolest, classiest wrestling event I've ever been a part of. The list of names when you go back and see who competed in it, to be amongst those people is such a honor. It was the first time I was ever part of something that classy and it was in a league of its own as far as high school events, just a great experience."

Navy assistant BJ Futrell hopes to see a repeat of his 2008 victory for the future Midshipman who will be wrestling in it this weekend.

"Wrestling in the Dapper Dan was one of the most fun and memorable experiences of my high school career. Only the best of the best are chosen, so it was huge honor to be selected to represent Team USA and it still means a lot to me today. It’s nicknamed the Rose Bowl of high school wrestling and it is a great showcase of talent filled with young men that are sure to cause a big splash on the college wrestling scene. It was an exciting event to be a part of, and I’m thrilled to have Andrew Cerniglia representing the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2024."