Metropolitan Wrestling Association
Fostering the sport of wrestling in the New York Metropolitan Area
Seated: John Welch, President MWA, USAW – NJ-State Chairman; Dr. Vince Zuaro; Setrak Agonian, Past President;Bill Farrell, Chairman - Board of Corporate Adivsors; Sonny Greenhalgh, Vice President; Ed Gould, Vice President MWA, USAW-NY State Chairman
Standing: Matt Peckham, at Large; Dave Foxen, Tresurer; Tod Giles, Active Athlete;Bill Crum, Executive Director; Paul Kieblesz, at Large; Marcia Haise, at Large; Al Bevilacqua, Chairman of the Board.
Missing: Larry Cantor, Secretary; Brian Reardon, USAW-CT; Jerry Seckler, Friends of Long Island Wrestling.
Standing: Matt Peckham, at Large; Dave Foxen, Tresurer; Tod Giles, Active Athlete;Bill Crum, Executive Director; Paul Kieblesz, at Large; Marcia Haise, at Large; Al Bevilacqua, Chairman of the Board.
Missing: Larry Cantor, Secretary; Brian Reardon, USAW-CT; Jerry Seckler, Friends of Long Island Wrestling.
About MWA
The Metropolitan Wrestling Association is the only Allied member of the Board of Directors of USA Wrestling. Allied members are organizations that hold a position on the Board.
The mission of the MWA is to responsibly advocate the mission of USA Wrestling* in the New York Metropolitan area, with special emphases on:
· The establishment and maintenance of a meaningful wrestling program in partnership with Urban community based organizations and after school programs (Beat the Streets)
· The Junior Olympic Division of USAW’s mission
· The conduct of events, major and local, in our service area
· Providing training opportunities for aspiring Olympians from the area or associated with major clubs in our service area
· Serving as a regional service provider assisting USAW in the fulfillment of its mission.
* The mission of USAW is as follows: “USA Wrestling, as the National Governing Body for wrestling in the United States, shall responsibly advocate, promote, coordinate and provide opportunities for amateur wrestlers to achieve their full human and athletic potential.”
The MWA was founded in the early 80’s and immediately became involved in the promotion of the sport in the New York Area.
At first, the primary objective was to work with USA Wrestling to promote major events in New York. Among those events were World Dual meets between National Teams of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1985, 86 and 89; Russia in 1994, Bulgaria in 1991; Armenia in 1994 and Cuba in 1997. Additionally, the MWA played a prominent role in the success of the Goodwill Games in 1998.
President Setrak Agonian leads the MWA. Mr. Agonian served on the FILA Marketing Commission in 1990. By his invitation and sponsorship, Armenia vs USA for the first time as an Independent Nation in New York and Boston. In the same year in September, Agonian was Honored to be elected as the Founding member of the Armenian Olympic Commettee. He also initiated the first participation of Armenia in 1994 Winter Olympic Games at Lilyhammer, Norway. After that, served as a Vice-President and was elected in the European Olympic Commettee under the newly elected IOC president Jack Rogge, as Member of the Marketting Commettee and New Wave Communication Commettee.
The Chairman of the Board of the MWA is Al Bevilacqua, a founding Board member of USA Wrestling and a long time contributor and coach. Has served on the FILA Coaches Commission for 6 years and is a retired high school educator who is president of Ac Sports, an athletic base company in New York.
The two vice presidents of the MWA are retired Superintendent of Schools Dr. Vince Zuaro (referee of numerous World and Olympic Championships) and Sonny Greenhalgh, Director of Wrestling for the New York Athletic Club.
The Treasurer is Dave Foxen, an executive with Bank One and Chairman of the Wrestling Committee of the NYAC. The Secretary is Larry Cantor, a New York City School administrator who is also a long time official and contributor to USAW at the local, State and National level.
Executive Director Bill Crum, a member of USAW’s Board and Executive Committee, and a former Executive Director with Boys and Girls Clubs of America provides the professional leadership of the MWA. He has served as both the First and Second Vice President of USAW, has coached on the High School and College levels and is a Nationally ranked “IE” referee/judge with the USWOA.
The MWA has expanded its scope and is now inclusive of all the major wrestling organizations within the USA Wrestling family in the New York area including the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut State affiliates of USA Wrestling as well as groups like the New York Athletic Club and the Friends of Long Island Wrestling. No less than five Board members are or have been Board members for USA Wrestling. Two are current USAW Executive Committee members.
The recently reconstituted Board represents the best wrestling minds in the area. Additionally, they are firmly committed to the diverse goals of USAW as outlined in the mission statement.
The MWA was chosen to lead the Competition Management staff (with its Executive Director serving as Competition Manager) for the World Championships, scheduled for September 2001 (since postponed due to the September 11th tragedy).
The mission of the MWA is to responsibly advocate the mission of USA Wrestling* in the New York Metropolitan area, with special emphases on:
· The establishment and maintenance of a meaningful wrestling program in partnership with Urban community based organizations and after school programs (Beat the Streets)
· The Junior Olympic Division of USAW’s mission
· The conduct of events, major and local, in our service area
· Providing training opportunities for aspiring Olympians from the area or associated with major clubs in our service area
· Serving as a regional service provider assisting USAW in the fulfillment of its mission.
* The mission of USAW is as follows: “USA Wrestling, as the National Governing Body for wrestling in the United States, shall responsibly advocate, promote, coordinate and provide opportunities for amateur wrestlers to achieve their full human and athletic potential.”
The MWA was founded in the early 80’s and immediately became involved in the promotion of the sport in the New York Area.
At first, the primary objective was to work with USA Wrestling to promote major events in New York. Among those events were World Dual meets between National Teams of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1985, 86 and 89; Russia in 1994, Bulgaria in 1991; Armenia in 1994 and Cuba in 1997. Additionally, the MWA played a prominent role in the success of the Goodwill Games in 1998.
President Setrak Agonian leads the MWA. Mr. Agonian served on the FILA Marketing Commission in 1990. By his invitation and sponsorship, Armenia vs USA for the first time as an Independent Nation in New York and Boston. In the same year in September, Agonian was Honored to be elected as the Founding member of the Armenian Olympic Commettee. He also initiated the first participation of Armenia in 1994 Winter Olympic Games at Lilyhammer, Norway. After that, served as a Vice-President and was elected in the European Olympic Commettee under the newly elected IOC president Jack Rogge, as Member of the Marketting Commettee and New Wave Communication Commettee.
The Chairman of the Board of the MWA is Al Bevilacqua, a founding Board member of USA Wrestling and a long time contributor and coach. Has served on the FILA Coaches Commission for 6 years and is a retired high school educator who is president of Ac Sports, an athletic base company in New York.
The two vice presidents of the MWA are retired Superintendent of Schools Dr. Vince Zuaro (referee of numerous World and Olympic Championships) and Sonny Greenhalgh, Director of Wrestling for the New York Athletic Club.
The Treasurer is Dave Foxen, an executive with Bank One and Chairman of the Wrestling Committee of the NYAC. The Secretary is Larry Cantor, a New York City School administrator who is also a long time official and contributor to USAW at the local, State and National level.
Executive Director Bill Crum, a member of USAW’s Board and Executive Committee, and a former Executive Director with Boys and Girls Clubs of America provides the professional leadership of the MWA. He has served as both the First and Second Vice President of USAW, has coached on the High School and College levels and is a Nationally ranked “IE” referee/judge with the USWOA.
The MWA has expanded its scope and is now inclusive of all the major wrestling organizations within the USA Wrestling family in the New York area including the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut State affiliates of USA Wrestling as well as groups like the New York Athletic Club and the Friends of Long Island Wrestling. No less than five Board members are or have been Board members for USA Wrestling. Two are current USAW Executive Committee members.
The recently reconstituted Board represents the best wrestling minds in the area. Additionally, they are firmly committed to the diverse goals of USAW as outlined in the mission statement.
The MWA was chosen to lead the Competition Management staff (with its Executive Director serving as Competition Manager) for the World Championships, scheduled for September 2001 (since postponed due to the September 11th tragedy).
The History
When you review the history of wrestling in New York City, the N.Y. Athletic Club immediately stands out. Wrestling began at the NYAC in the late 1880's where wrestlers representing the “winged foot” consistently won Olympic and National medals.
In 1929 an Oklahoman, Merl Thrush took over coaching at the NYAC. For 41 years Merl and his assistant Harry Barr dominated the sport in local and national competitions.
However, in the late 1940's and 1950's the Westside YMCA, led by its heavyweight, Henry Wittenberg, started to overcome the NYAC. Wittenberg was one of American's greatest wrestlers, winning seven national championships, a silver medal in the 1952 Olympics and a gold in 1948.
During this period several other trong teams began to emerge in the region. Besides the NYAC and the West-side YMCA, top wrestlers competed for the McBurney YMCA, the Brooklyn Central YMCA and the Long Island Wrestling Club. These teams were coached by wrestling leaders such as John Mandel in New York and Tom Harvey in Long Island.
In 1956, Bill Farrell joined the NYAC and began assisting Merl Thrush in 1958. In the 1960's Farrell took over as head coach and established a string of 10 competitive national championships between 1966 and 1975.Farrell was a world team member in 1962, and coached the U.S. Olympic F/S Team in 1972.
In the mid 1970's Bill Farrell passed the wrestling duties at the NYAC to Sonny Greenhalgh. Greenhalgh became very active in all areas of metropolitan wrestling particularly in the age group categories throughout Long Island. In the 1980's Sonny was elected as a board member of the newly established governing body of wrestling in America, USA Wrestling. While coaching the NYAC, Sonny also with head coach Chic Murano produced two Olympic champions in 1984, Bobby Weaver at 105 lbs. and Bruce Baumgartner at heavyweight.
Also during this period a group of wrestling enthusiasts under the leadership of Sonny and Setrak Agonian organized the Metropolitan Wrestling Association (MWA), incorporated in 1984. Set was very influential in attracting international teams to NYC and with the MWA they successfully staged many international events. Setrak was also elected Marketing Commission of FILA.
The Metropolitan Wrestling Association, presenters of the “Wrestling Summit”, consists of representatives from the schools and clubs, which produce the wrestlers in this area. The organization helps train teachers, run tournaments, and encourage wrestling at all levels, including children's, juniors, open and masters.
The MWA encourages recreational wrestler who wrestles once a week and also the serious competitor at world-class levels. In four “Wrestling Summit” the organization has helped bring international wrestling to New York Russian teams visited in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1990. Bulgaria sent outstanding wrestlers in 1987. Armenia visited for first time as independant country in 1990. In 1998 at the Goodwill games at New York, Wrestling was not included, but Setrak Agonian intervented and Wrestling became the most attended and publicised sport event.
In addition to 2003 World Wrestling Championships, the MWA is also actively working to bring the World Cup, the Olympic games to New York in 2012.
To help the growth of the sport, the MWA actively seeks corporate funding. For more information contact the NYC Metropolitan Wrestling Association, Inc. Box 770661, 37-28 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377.
In 1929 an Oklahoman, Merl Thrush took over coaching at the NYAC. For 41 years Merl and his assistant Harry Barr dominated the sport in local and national competitions.
However, in the late 1940's and 1950's the Westside YMCA, led by its heavyweight, Henry Wittenberg, started to overcome the NYAC. Wittenberg was one of American's greatest wrestlers, winning seven national championships, a silver medal in the 1952 Olympics and a gold in 1948.
During this period several other trong teams began to emerge in the region. Besides the NYAC and the West-side YMCA, top wrestlers competed for the McBurney YMCA, the Brooklyn Central YMCA and the Long Island Wrestling Club. These teams were coached by wrestling leaders such as John Mandel in New York and Tom Harvey in Long Island.
In 1956, Bill Farrell joined the NYAC and began assisting Merl Thrush in 1958. In the 1960's Farrell took over as head coach and established a string of 10 competitive national championships between 1966 and 1975.Farrell was a world team member in 1962, and coached the U.S. Olympic F/S Team in 1972.
In the mid 1970's Bill Farrell passed the wrestling duties at the NYAC to Sonny Greenhalgh. Greenhalgh became very active in all areas of metropolitan wrestling particularly in the age group categories throughout Long Island. In the 1980's Sonny was elected as a board member of the newly established governing body of wrestling in America, USA Wrestling. While coaching the NYAC, Sonny also with head coach Chic Murano produced two Olympic champions in 1984, Bobby Weaver at 105 lbs. and Bruce Baumgartner at heavyweight.
Also during this period a group of wrestling enthusiasts under the leadership of Sonny and Setrak Agonian organized the Metropolitan Wrestling Association (MWA), incorporated in 1984. Set was very influential in attracting international teams to NYC and with the MWA they successfully staged many international events. Setrak was also elected Marketing Commission of FILA.
The Metropolitan Wrestling Association, presenters of the “Wrestling Summit”, consists of representatives from the schools and clubs, which produce the wrestlers in this area. The organization helps train teachers, run tournaments, and encourage wrestling at all levels, including children's, juniors, open and masters.
The MWA encourages recreational wrestler who wrestles once a week and also the serious competitor at world-class levels. In four “Wrestling Summit” the organization has helped bring international wrestling to New York Russian teams visited in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1990. Bulgaria sent outstanding wrestlers in 1987. Armenia visited for first time as independant country in 1990. In 1998 at the Goodwill games at New York, Wrestling was not included, but Setrak Agonian intervented and Wrestling became the most attended and publicised sport event.
In addition to 2003 World Wrestling Championships, the MWA is also actively working to bring the World Cup, the Olympic games to New York in 2012.
To help the growth of the sport, the MWA actively seeks corporate funding. For more information contact the NYC Metropolitan Wrestling Association, Inc. Box 770661, 37-28 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377.
