[8] While there, Gardner developed the practice concept of "chain moves and drilling", which led to 20 years of undefeated Mephan students in dual meets and only one tournament loss.

He would travel with his team to new high schools, and demonstrate his values of wrestling by teaching and drilling basic skills at assemblies.

"[11] Gardner was a 1986 distinguished inductee to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum,[3] and as of 2015, the only high-school coach so honored.

[11] After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gardner eschewed an instructor's deferment from the World War II draft, and pursued an officer's commission into the United States Navy in early-to-mid 1942.

[14] He spent three years as a lieutenant commander, serving aboard the aircraft carrier[4] USS Makin Island[15] in the South West Pacific theatre.