Like his fellow 2003 inductee, Frank Marotta, Don DeBadts is a recipient of the Leo Bernabi Award from the Section 5 Wrestling Officials Association. Don received this award in 1986 in honor of his outstanding service as a past president of the organization, as a trainer of officials, and as a member of its executive board. Don also worked with Frank and others in developing New York State's officials' evaluation system. In short, Don is another reason behind the outstanding success of high school wrestling in Section 5 and in New York State. Don took over as head coach of the wrestling program at Deposit Central High School in 1963. He stayed there for two years and produced two Pioneer League Championship teams in 1963 and 1964. He then moved on to Liberty Central High School where his teams went undefeated in 1965 and 1966, becoming City DUSO League Champions and Village DUSO League Champions. In 1968 Don became head coach at Geneseo Central School. He remained there until his retirement from coaching in 1992. In 1978 and 1980 his teams were Section 5 Class B Champions. He coached teams to the Livingston Conference Championship in 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987. Many of Don's wrestlers went on to compete at the collegiate level. Of particular note are Ron Lewis of Potsdam State; Kevin Richard, an NCAA Division Ill Champion; and Ray Ruliffson who has the second highest number of career wins at R.I.T. Don coached three Section 9 individual champions during his early years and more than 20 for Section 5 while at Geneseo Central. To keep active he also coached cross country, track, football, and baseball. Don is a Life Member of the Section 5 Wrestling Officials Association, a charter member of the Section 5 Friends of Wrestling, and the founder and current treasurer of the Geneseo Central Sports Boosters. He has served as wrestling chairman of Section 5 from 1983 to the present. He has directed the Genesee Valley Tournament for thirty years. He evaluated officials at several NCAA Division I tournaments in the 1980s and 1990s. He introduced the 22 point scheduling system to New York State. In addition, he served as Director of Recreation for Geneseo from 1972 to 1999. Somehow, Don also found time to serve as president of Geneseo Kiwanis and has compiled a 25 year perfect attendance record with that fine fraternal organization. In recognition of his talents as a coach and of his years of dedicated work with officials, coaches, volunteers, boosters and tournament organizers for the continual improvement of our sport, the National Hall of Fame proudly inducts Donald DeBadts.