Granite City lost one of its own early Monday morning. TJ Slay, a Hall of Fame wrestler, coach, and fixture in the local wrestling community, died at about 2:00 a.m. on July 7. He was 49.
Community posts and local organizations say he had been battling cancer; the family has not released detailed medical information and has asked for privacy.
Slay’s record on the mat is part of Granite City lore. He won the 1995 Illinois Class AA state title at 130 pounds and finished that championship run unbeaten. The Hall of Fame cites a 43-0 season, while posts from teammates and community pages have also referenced a 45-0 figure.
He carried that momentum to college, earning NAIA All-American honors in 1998 at 134 pounds, placing sixth nationally.
The Granite City Sports Hall of Fame inducted Slay in 2021, noting both his competitive record and his long-term impact on the program.
His name is mounted on the state plaque board and banners that hang in the wrestling room, visible reminders of seasons that helped define Granite City wrestling for a generation.
Those who trained with him remember more than championships. Former teammates and opponents say Slay’s work ethic and intensity set him apart.
“He was possessed,” one longtime friend recalled of early morning practices and the discipline Slay brought to every weight cut and drill.
Chris Hankins, who practiced with Slay after high school, said the commitment was obvious: “The effort was second to none.”
Slay turned that same drive into coaching and mentorship. Parents and former wrestlers describe him as someone who poured his passion into younger athletes, pushing them on the mat and supporting them off it.
A number of alumni posted condolences and memories over the last 24 hours, a running thread of respect for both his competitive fire and his generosity as a coach.
“You will forever be missed, RIP Tj Slay,” Brooke Downs wrote, reflecting on the bond wrestlers share beyond school colors. James Knox called him “one hell of an athlete, and an even better guy.”
The outpouring ranged from short memories of the state title to longer notes about the man behind the medals.
Opponents who lost to him offered condolences; parents praised his patience and attention to kids; teammates recalled the intensity that made Slay a legend in Granite City.
Blake Hoerr reflected, “He was a great competitor, and I appreciate our battles against each other. Rest in peace, my brother!”
Slay is survived by his wife and four children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Friends say the community is organizing around the family and asking for prayers and privacy as they grieve.
This is a loss felt across Granite City, not only because of trophies and banners, but because of the people he influenced.
For many, his legacy is the next generation of athletes who learned from his example. If the family or the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame posts funeral or memorial details, those will appear on local channels and the program’s official pages.
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