His name is synonymous with wrestling in Massapequa and from now on all matches in will take place in his wrestling room.
Longtime Chiefs' wrestling coach Al Bevilacqua was honored during Massapequa's annual holiday wrestling tournament last week when the school officially named the room after him.
It is another accolade for Bevilaqua, who will also receive the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Order of Merit award in June.
Bevilaqua served as Massapeqa's wrestling coach from 1963-77 and taught in the school district from 1961-94.
He was named to the Massapequa High School Hall of Fame in 1996 and served as a volunteer assistant in Massapequa after leaving the head coaching position.
Bevilaqua was also head coach at Hofstra for two seasons and has held several positions with USA Wrestling and New York State wrestling.
“The district is honored to name its wrestling room after a man who has dedicated more than 50 years of service as a teacher and as a coach,” said Massapequa Athletic Director John Piropato.
“His numerous contributions to Massapequa, both in the classroom and in the gym, have benefited thousands of students over the years.”
In addition to naming the wrestling room after coach Bevilaqua, Friends of Massapequa Wrestling is raising money to renovate the wrestling room.
The club hopes to raise the more than $50,000 renovation cost and is asking those interested in making a tax deductible contribution please to make checks payable to the “Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Inc.” and mail it to Post Office Box 61, Massapequa, New York 11758.
