Sonny Greenhalgh named USA Wrestling Man of the Year
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by Gary Abbott
Sonny Greenhalgh of West Patterson, N.J., who served as New York Athletic Club Chairman for 31 years and held numerous leadership positions in the sport, has been named Man of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding man for his contributions to the sport of wrestling.
"I am elated. I am very happy to be recognized by my friends and peers," said Greenhalgh. "There are so many people in USA Wrestling who work just as hard as I do and are just as deserving as I am. For those hard-working volunteers to recognize me after all those years makes me proud. It is like being recognized by your family."
Greenhalgh retired this year after 31 years serving as the NYAC Wrestling Chairman. His leadership helped the NYAC to become one of the world's best club program, and developed numerous Olympic and World medalists for the United States in all three styles. The NYAC has won numerous national team titles in men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling and is among the top clubs in the national standings every season.
Among the star athletes he has mentored include two-time Olympic champion Bruce Baumgartner, Olympic champion Bobby Weaver, two-time World champion Kristie Marano, and World champion Joe Warren.
He currently serves on the USA Wrestling Board of Directors. He is the president of the U.S. Wrestling Federation of Clubs, which represents the interest of open clubs and takes a leadership role in Senior-level wrestling. Greenhalgh also chairs USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman Sport Committee, which oversees the national Greco-Roman program. He also serves on the Freestyle Sport Committee.
Greenhalgh has been tournament director for the New York Athletic Club International Championships for over 30 years. During the last decade, the NYAC International has become a premier international event, attracting top athletes from across the world.
The last two years, he has also hosted international dual meets between the U.S. and foreign teams in New Jersey, which have had strong attendance and promoted the sport. Among the nations in these duals included Russia (FS), Romania (GR), Japan (GR) and Israel (GR).
He is also helped organize the Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast which will be held at the World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 31.
Greenhalgh has been inducted into the Long Island Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the New York State College Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
In addition to coaching with the New York Athletic Club, Greenhalgh served three years as head coach at New York University, three years as head coach at Seton Hall University and also a stint as an assistant coach at Rutgers University.
Greenhalgh competed for the New York Athletic Club on the Senior level from 1965-71, and served as the team's captain. He won a number of tournaments during his international career. He also wrestled for Syracuse University, where he placed third in the EIWA Championships.
Greenhalgh is the president and owner of Coaches Corner, a products company, and also runs a company affiliated with Herff Jones, Co. which sells graduation caps, gowns and rings. Early in his career, he worked 11 years with Universal Resilite.
"Wrestling has saved my life. It has given me a life," said Greenhalgh. "When I was young, I wanted to achieve in something and wrestling was a perfect answer for me. It gave me a start. Through wrestling, I was able to grow in all aspects of my life. I owe wrestling so much. It made me who I am. Wrestling is a wonderful sport."
PAST USA WRESTLING MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2008 - Sonny Greenhalgh
2007 - Van Stokes
2006 - Steve Silver
2005 - Al Bevilacqua
2004 - Jeff Levitetz
2003 - Set Agonian
2002 - Al Kastl
2001 - James Ravannack
2000 - Rulon Gardner
1999 - Duane Morgan
1998 - Scott Beck
1997 - Rick Tucci
1996 - Dave Schultz
1995 - Leroy Evans
1994 - James E. Scherr
1993 - Arthur J. Martori
1992 - Bruce Baumgartner
1990 - Eugene Barone
1989 - John Vaughan
1987 - Dave Rudrud
1986 - Jeff Blatnick
1985 - Dr. Dan Gould
1984 - Gary Thompson
1983 - Don Sondgeroth
1982 - Frank Rader
1981 - John Roberts
1980 - Rick Bay
1979 - Ben Bennett
1978 - Werner Holzer
1977 - Vince Zuaro
1976 - Ken Kraft
1974-75 - Russ Hellickson
1973 - Jack Stanbro
1972 - Melvin Jones
1971 - Bud Linholm
1970 - Rex Peery
"I am elated. I am very happy to be recognized by my friends and peers," said Greenhalgh. "There are so many people in USA Wrestling who work just as hard as I do and are just as deserving as I am. For those hard-working volunteers to recognize me after all those years makes me proud. It is like being recognized by your family."
Greenhalgh retired this year after 31 years serving as the NYAC Wrestling Chairman. His leadership helped the NYAC to become one of the world's best club program, and developed numerous Olympic and World medalists for the United States in all three styles. The NYAC has won numerous national team titles in men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling and is among the top clubs in the national standings every season.
Among the star athletes he has mentored include two-time Olympic champion Bruce Baumgartner, Olympic champion Bobby Weaver, two-time World champion Kristie Marano, and World champion Joe Warren.
He currently serves on the USA Wrestling Board of Directors. He is the president of the U.S. Wrestling Federation of Clubs, which represents the interest of open clubs and takes a leadership role in Senior-level wrestling. Greenhalgh also chairs USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman Sport Committee, which oversees the national Greco-Roman program. He also serves on the Freestyle Sport Committee.
Greenhalgh has been tournament director for the New York Athletic Club International Championships for over 30 years. During the last decade, the NYAC International has become a premier international event, attracting top athletes from across the world.
The last two years, he has also hosted international dual meets between the U.S. and foreign teams in New Jersey, which have had strong attendance and promoted the sport. Among the nations in these duals included Russia (FS), Romania (GR), Japan (GR) and Israel (GR).
He is also helped organize the Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast which will be held at the World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa on May 31.
Greenhalgh has been inducted into the Long Island Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the New York State College Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
In addition to coaching with the New York Athletic Club, Greenhalgh served three years as head coach at New York University, three years as head coach at Seton Hall University and also a stint as an assistant coach at Rutgers University.
Greenhalgh competed for the New York Athletic Club on the Senior level from 1965-71, and served as the team's captain. He won a number of tournaments during his international career. He also wrestled for Syracuse University, where he placed third in the EIWA Championships.
Greenhalgh is the president and owner of Coaches Corner, a products company, and also runs a company affiliated with Herff Jones, Co. which sells graduation caps, gowns and rings. Early in his career, he worked 11 years with Universal Resilite.
"Wrestling has saved my life. It has given me a life," said Greenhalgh. "When I was young, I wanted to achieve in something and wrestling was a perfect answer for me. It gave me a start. Through wrestling, I was able to grow in all aspects of my life. I owe wrestling so much. It made me who I am. Wrestling is a wonderful sport."
PAST USA WRESTLING MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2008 - Sonny Greenhalgh
2007 - Van Stokes
2006 - Steve Silver
2005 - Al Bevilacqua
2004 - Jeff Levitetz
2003 - Set Agonian
2002 - Al Kastl
2001 - James Ravannack
2000 - Rulon Gardner
1999 - Duane Morgan
1998 - Scott Beck
1997 - Rick Tucci
1996 - Dave Schultz
1995 - Leroy Evans
1994 - James E. Scherr
1993 - Arthur J. Martori
1992 - Bruce Baumgartner
1990 - Eugene Barone
1989 - John Vaughan
1987 - Dave Rudrud
1986 - Jeff Blatnick
1985 - Dr. Dan Gould
1984 - Gary Thompson
1983 - Don Sondgeroth
1982 - Frank Rader
1981 - John Roberts
1980 - Rick Bay
1979 - Ben Bennett
1978 - Werner Holzer
1977 - Vince Zuaro
1976 - Ken Kraft
1974-75 - Russ Hellickson
1973 - Jack Stanbro
1972 - Melvin Jones
1971 - Bud Linholm
1970 - Rex Peery
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