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Eight Americans named to FILA Departments in a variety of key areas

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by UL

FILA, the international wrestling federation, has assigned eight leaders from the United States to serve on a variety of FILA Departments. Each will serve a four-year term (2009-2012), and will attend meetings which cover specific topics within international wrestling.

As a current member of the FILA Bureau, Stan Dziedzic of Roswell, Ga. was assigned to lead the FILA Athletes and Hall of Fame Department. Dziedzic is a past president of USA Wrestling. Dziedzic was a 1976 Olympic bronze medalist and a 1977 World champion in men's freestyle and also served as a National Freestyle Coach for the United States.

Also selected to serve in this department is Larry Sciacchetano of Baton Rouge, La. Sciacchetano is a past USA Wrestling president, as well as a past FILA Bureau member. He has instrumental in the creation of the FILA Wrestling Hall of Fame and has served on four other FILA Commissions. He was assistant coach of the 1993 U.S. World Team, the first to win a World title in men's freestyle wrestling.

The Athletes and Hall of Fame Department has a number of duties, including making recommendations to the FILA Bureau on rules, competition system and other matters that affect athletes. The department develops and monitors the Code of Ethics. In addition, the department recommends athletes to be inducted into the FILA International Wrestling Hall of Fame and organizes the annual Hall of Fame ceremony.

Selected to serve in the Ethical and Legal Department is Jim Ravannack of Metairie, La. Ravannack is currently in his second term as the president of USA Wrestling. Ravannack serves as the USA Wrestling state chairperson for Louisiana, and is president of the Gator Wrestling Club.

The Ethical and Legal Department supervises the Federal Appeal Commission, and handles investigations and inquiries on legal and disciplinary issues within FILA. The department imposes sanctions and fines against member of National Federations for infringement of FILA regulations. The department is also involved in a number of legal issues that affect international wrestling.

Selected to serve in the Refereeing Department is Rick Tucci of Pembroke Pines, Fla. Tucci is the president of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association. He has been a referee at six Olympic Games and has worked at World Championship events every year since 1978. Tucci has served as a FILA Instructor and received the Golden Whistle as the best referee at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

The Refereeing Department is active in all aspects of officiating, including the education and ranking of international wrestling referees. The department is involved in the selection of referees to work the major FILA events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships and Continental Championships.

Selected to serve in the Medical, Prevention and Anti-Doping Department is Dr. Bernard Feldman of Palos Park, Ill. Feldman has served with this department since 2001. He has worked in a medical capacity at over 120 wrestling events since his first assignment as Medical Director of the 1983 Junior World Championships.

The Medical, Prevention and Anti-Doping Department appoints the FILA Medical Team for all major championships and supervises doping control at FILA Championships. The department recruits and updates the medical professionals who serve within international wrestling, and has a variety of duties concerning doping personnel and procedures.

Selected to serve in the Masters Degrees and Promotions Department is Rich Bender of Colorado Springs, Colo. Bender has served as Executive Director of USA Wrestling since 2001, and has been a USA Wrestling employee for 20 years. Other positions at USA Wrestling were Associate Executive Director of Programs and National Events Director. He was the Wrestling Competition Manager of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga.

The Masters Degrees and Promotions Department sets up the Masters degree program for FILA, including organizing a World Conference where wrestling leaders can pursue this recognition. The department also develops a variety of promotional materials about wrestling for use around the world.

Selected to serve in the Technical Department is Steve Fraser of Colorado Springs, Colo. Fraser has served as the National Greco-Roman Coach for USA Wrestling since 1995. He coached the 2007 U.S. Greco-Roman World Team, which won the World Team title, the first time the U.S. has won in that style. He was the first U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal with his victory at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Technical Department sets up the FILA Higher Schools for Coaches, as well as other schools for coaches on all continents. This includes providing instructors for these schools as well as educational materials for coaches. The department is makes recommendations on the rules and competition system for wrestling and is involved in other technical issues concerning the sport.

Selected to serve in the Marketing, Sponsoring, TV, Internet and Press Department is Gary Abbott of Colorado Springs, Colo. Abbott serves as the Director of Communications and Special Projects for USA Wrestling, where he has been an employee for over 20 years. He was the Press Chief of the 2003 World Freestyle Championships in New York City, and has worked as a press office at six Olympic Games.

For the list of members of each FILA Department, as well as a detailed description of the role of each department, visit:
http://www.fila-wrestling.com/index.php?option=com_annuaire_fila&act=listedep&Itemid=135

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