Norm Winter wrestled in high school for Walt Shallcross, a Hall of Fame member, and then wrestled at Rutgers University for Dick Voliva, the long time Rutgers coach, former Olympic wrestler, and member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. These men nurtured his interest in wrestling, an interest that would continue to this day, some 50 years later.

Norm’s first teaching and coaching assignment in 1959 began at Piscataway High School, a new school with no background in wrestling. Without a practice mat, uniforms and equipment, he started wrestling at the school with a wrestling club that began with only 12 members. Through Norm’s commitment to young people and his unbounded enthusiasm, wrestling developed to the extent that now when someone mentions Piscataway sports, wrestling immediately comes to mind. He has influenced hundreds of student athletes through wrestling.

Norm Winter’s record is outstanding. He has a career record of 201-26-5 with five undefeated teams, no losing seasons, and 27 team championships. These include 4 Middlesex County, 11 District, 10 Mid-State Conference, and the Phillipsburg and Caldwell Classic titles. His teams were ranked in the top 20 ten times with a ranking as high as number two in 1975. Individually he coached 90 District Champions, 13 Region Champions, and 3 State titlists.

Norm has devoted his adult life to teaching young men important life skills and values that are an integral part of wrestling: goal setting, discipline, commitment, honesty, and teamwork. That he was a skilled coach there can be no doubt. His many team victories attest to that. When you wrestled Piscataway, you knew you were in for a battle. More than a skills coach, Norm taught values. He led by example. His teams were always prepared and competed intensely to win, but sportsmanship and integrity always prevailed. Win or lose, Norm always had a ready smile and a sincere handshake.

His awards are many: Coach of the Year in Middlesex County and in the Mid-State Conference, Region V Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1979, NJSIAA Honor Coach and in 1979 the NJSIAA recognized him as Wrestling Coach of the Year. His peers selected him as a charter member of the Region V Hall of Fame and in 1994 as the Man of the Year by the Greater Middlesex County Coaches Association. The Union-Essex Chapter of Wrestling Officials honored Norm for Lifetime Achievement.

Norm Winter has made a distinct mark on New Jersey wrestling. When he began coaching, only six schools had a wrestling program in Middlesex County. Today, with his encouragement and leadership Middlesex County has some 30 schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference that participate in wrestling. His service to the sport is second to none.