What began as a quest for meaning in his life turned into a lifetime vacation for Dick Slutzky. Sluzky walked into the wrestling room at Southedge Junior High School, North Massapequa, Long Island, New York in 1954. Forty seven years and many wrestling rooms later he is still at it.

Following graduation from Syracuse University in 1964, Slutzky headed the program at Baldwin Harbor Junior High School for two years, then returned to Syracuse University as an assistant coach.  He would coach at the collegiate level over the next six years, assisting head coaching at the University of Tampa during the 1968-69 season and assisting at the University of Pittsburgh for three years. His coaching career lasted 37 yrs.

In 1972 he came to Aberdeen, Maryland and began of the most successful wrestling programs in Maryland history. Over the next 25 years Slutsky’s Aberdeen High School Teams compiled a dual match record of 288-42-1, won 50 tournament titles including consecutive Maryland state titles from 1988-1999. This was the first Maryand high school to win three consecutive outright titles.

Aberdeen won 13 straight Harford County League Titles (1988-97). During that time period they recorded 10 undefeated dual meet seasons. In 1990 Amateur Wrestling News ranked Aberdeen 23rd in its National High School Rankings. 

He coached three High School All-Americans at Aberdeen and his son, Matt, became Maryland’s first four-time state champions and competed for the Unites States in the Pittsburgh All-Star Classic.

Slutsky competed scholastically at Plainedge High School in North Massapequa, Long Island, New York, winning 71 matches in 78 starts. He won league championships, and was named the league's Outstanding Wrestler in 1958, 1959 and 1960. He won a sectional and regional title in 1960. He continued his career at Syracuse University going 58-12-2 for the Orangemen. He was an EIWA Champion in 1964, after placing second in 1963, and was an NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds in 1964, after placing fourth in 1963.