USA Wrestling employee Ted DeRousse received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Illinois chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, during induction ceremonies at the Orrington Hotel in Evanston, Ill., April 7.    DeRousse, who works full-time as USA Wrestling's Manager of State Services, was one of the top wrestling leaders in Illinois for more than a quarter of a century before moving to Colorado Springs to work for the national governing body.    Others recognized with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award alongside DeRousse were John George, Tom Heniff, Bill Weick, Lou Slimmer and Henry Pillard.    The Lifetime Service to Wrestling award is given in recognition of years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people through the sport of wrestling. A network of state chapters are identifying and recognizing major wrestling leaders within their state as part of this exciting program of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.    "I am thrilled and honored," said DeRousse. "It is terrific at this time of my life to have my family and many former wrestlers and coaching friends in attendance at the banquet."    Wrestling legend Ken Kraft was the emcee at the banquet, and the awards were presented by Mike Clair, the director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's state chapter program.    "This incredible award is much deserved by a person who has dedicated his life to the sport and its athletes," said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. "USA Wrestling is proud to have Ted on our staff, and we appreciate all that he has done for our organization throughout his life."    DeRousse first got involved in wrestling as a high school athlete at Libertyville-Fremont High School in Illinois. He attended the Univ. of Illinois from 1959-1963, where he received his wrestling numerals. He received a bachelor's degree from the Univ. of Illinois, a master's degree from Northern Illinois Univ. and a CAS degree from the Univ. of Illinois.    After a stint as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, DeRousse became an educator. He was assistant coach at Lake Zurich High School from 1965-67, then served as head coach at Antioch Community High School from 1967-1993. He won more than 300 dual meets as Antioch's coach, developing numerous champion athletes. He has been a member of the Illinois Wrestling and Coaches Association Hall of Fame since 1978.    DeRousse was best known for his service to the sport as the USA Wrestling Illinois State Chairperson from 1974-1993. During those 19 years, the state association grew from 2,500 to more than 10,000 members. Illinois had the second largest membership of all state associations and one of the most active state programs. DeRousse helped develop the dual meet championship event that later became the USA Wrestling National Junior Duals.    He was a national leader within USA Wrestling. He was Chairperson of the USA Wrestling Kids Division, and served on the Board of Directors. He was a member of USA Wrestling committees that selected the Olympic coaching staff in 1984 and 1988.     DeRousse was the first Commissioner for Wrestling with the Prairie State Games, and is now the  Commission for Wrestling with the Rocky Mountain State Games. DeRousse retired from teaching in 1993, and moved to Colorado to work on the national staff at USA Wrestling.    "This is an exciting and growing program of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame that recognizes people who have made lifelong contributions to wrestling," said DeRousse of the awards program. "It fills a need to recognize many deserving people."