James Schartner founded the Maryland School for the Deaf wrestling program following his graduation from Western Maryland College in 1972. He produced national individual and team champions, including four Olympians. He was a three- time World Games for the Deaf coach in 1985, 1989, and 1993. He organized the national federation and served as its first chairperson and coached U.S.A. Exchange teams in Russia, Mexico, and Canada. Schartner was a 1989 Western Maryland College Hall of Fame inductee and was knownas a technically sound coach.