Many in Bridgeport and throughout the area know Dr. Mike Mason as the head of The Chiropractic Care Center right along U.S. Route 50. And for good reason.

 

Although it’s not always been in its current location, Mason has watched his practice grow steadily since it first opened its doors in October of 2002. He’s been able to do that, those that know him will tell you, through hard work and effort. It’s that same work ethic that will have Mason being the latest individual with Bridgeport High School coaching ties to be inducted into a Hall of Fame.

 

Sunday, Mason will be inducted into the West Virginia Chapter of the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies will be held in Charleston.

 

The selection is based primarily on wrestling, but it also has additional items considered. It involves the individual’s scholastic achievements while in school, while also how they’ve done since they’ve stopped competing and how they’re giving back to the community. With a quick review of Mason’s past and present, it’s easy to see why he qualified.

 

Mason’s introduction to the sport is crystal clear. His father was Williamstown High School’s first state champion back in 1972. At the age of Mike Mason began his own wrestling career.

 

“I fell in love with it,” said Mason. “Part of it was that it was the only sport I ever really excelled at.”

 

Excelled may be a bit of an understatement. As a freshman at Williamstown High School in the 112 division, Mason lost his first match in double overtime in the state championship. He wouldn’t lose another high school match and finished his career at 112-1. Along the way, he collected state titles in the 119, 135 and 140 weight classes.

 

The ability, as one might expect, drew the attention of colleges. Mason took trips to the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, Purdue and West Virginia University. He found his home for collegiate wrestling nearby in Morgantown.

 

“I fell in love with the coaches at the time Craig Turnbull was there. I really enjoyed his coaching,” said Mason. “The person I really struck a close relationship to was the assistant coach, Nate Care, who was an Olympic bronze medalist in 1988. We just hit it off.”

 

And Mason hit it off with the program. During his time in Morgantown, Mason surpassed the 100-win mark. He was also a two-time All-American with his best showing in the NCAA Tournament coming in 1998 when he finished third in the 157 division.

 

Along with ending his grappling career, Mason graduated from WVU in 1998. Then, he spent four years study to be a chiropractor at Life University; graduating from there in 2002. It was here that his introduction to Bridgeport began.

 

Shortly after graduating from Life University, Mason opened shop in Bridgeport in October of 2002. Since that time, he’s watched the business expand and grow into its still relatively new location on U.S. Route 50 just past Oliverio’s Ristorante that opened in 2008. That facility now has five doctors.

 

“We’ve been able to help thousands of people through the years. That’s very satisfying,” said Mason.

 

Mason, however, didn’t simply serve as a chiropractor. He said he felt the need to give back, which is another reason he’s in line for the Hall of Fame.

 

The transformation from participant to coach came when he assisted Scott Hage, the Bridgeport High School wrestling coach. He did that for a few years before stepping down and starting a club program at Bridgeport Middle School that helped get wrestling into the middle schools. Eventually, Jim Dawson took over what has been a strong program.

 

Mason, however, wasn’t done. For the past half dozen years, he runs a gym called “The Elite Training Center,” which is located on the same campus as the chiropractic center. And the good news is that the wrestling that takes place there is free.

 

“We run weekly wrestling practices that are free on Wednesday nights. I’ve got kids from all over the area and even from as far away as North Carolina that have come up and it’s a joy to do. I love being involved with this,” said Mason.

 

Mason said he believes helping others, particularly youth, is part of his calling. Even with that, he admits that he still gets a lot from the sport.

 

“I think what I’ve taken from the sport has helped me in my business and personal life and has helped me be able to be selected to the Hall of Fame,” said Mason. “They want someone that has taken the work ethic required in wrestling and to have applied it to what they do at home and at work and at the same time give back.”

 

Along with the weekly sessions at his gym, Mason also runs camps. And on Nov. 3 through Nov. 7, the Chiropractic Care Center will hold Athlete Appreciation Week with free services (call 304-842-4202 for information on that, Mason's camps and the gym)

 

“To be successful in any sport you need a good work ethic and wrestling takes that to the next level. You can’t successful in that sport without it. I tell the kids I work with whether it’s in wrestling, in school, at home or in life, talent won’t necessarily carry you to where you need to be,” he said. “That work ethic will take you to where you want to go.”

 

Editor's Note: Top and bottom photos of Mike Mason - wearing the WVU blue - are from his highly successful days in Morgantown. Middle photo of Mason, taken this week, is inside his gym on the campus of The Chiropractic Care Center.