Who was Ben Watson
Ben Ray Watson, Jr. "Ben" of Troutman, North Carolina, formerly of Mooresville and Charlotte went to live the eternal dream on October 21, 2024.
Ben was recently inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame highlighting his three decades of coaching. While earning over 600 career wins, two team state championships, and sponsoring Fellowship of Christian Athletes he was a mentor to hundreds of young men. The parents of his wrestlers became more than spectators of a sport he led. These parents became dear friends of his entire family.
Honoring Ben
Lake Norman FCA is proud to present the Living The Dream 5K in Honor of Ben Watson, on Saturday September 20th.
Coach Watson was more than just a Hall of Fame wrestling coach. He was a pillar of strength and integrity in our schools and community. His championship titles, though significant, pale in comparison to the thousands of lives he touched through his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering faith.
Even in his toughest moments, Coach Watson remained a fighter—a man of mission and perseverance. During his battle, he completed the onboarding process to come on staff with FCA on October 14th, 2025, driven by his desire to keep impacting students for Christ and serving as a positive role model in our schools.
The Living the Dream 5K is not only a tribute to his legacy but also a fundraiser to help take Lake Norman FCA to the next level, so we can bring on Staff who will continue Coach Watson’s work in the Mooresville, revamp the FCA Teen Center, and send students to FCA Leadership and Sports Camps.
