Richard Besnier
Richard "Dick" Besnier A New Jersey State Wrestling Champion and Outstanding Wrestler in 1956, Dick Besnier has been involved with wrestling for 50 years. While at the University of Maryland, class of 1960, Dick was a two time Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestling Champion and participated in two NCAA Wrestling tournaments. Dick then spent the next twenty-seven years as Head Wrestling Coach at the NCAA Division I level at the College of William and Mary and James Madison University. During this time his teams compiled a combined record of 174 wins a, 58 losses and two ties, for a winning percentage of .744. His teams at William and Mary won four Southern Conference Championships and had 32 individual Conference Champions, four of which were named Outstanding Wrestler. At James Madison University his teams won two NCAA East Regional Championships, had eight individual NCAA East Regional Champions, one Virginia Intercollegiate Team title and numerous individual Intercollegiate State Champions. Coach Besnier was inducted into the William & Mary Hall of Fame in 1972 and the New Jersey Region III Hall of Fame in 2000. Dick also served as Director of Athletics at Clarion University, Associate Director of Development at William & Mary and Associate Athletic Director at American University. He was the first to be named Virginia State Chairman of the United States Wrestling Federation, serving as such from 1966 to 19863. During this period Besnier was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year three times. Dick also served on the National Wrestling Coaches Association Executive Committee from 1979-1988. Besnier originated and directed the team concept wrestling camps for more than 25 years. He has been a friend and leader to the wrestling community for decades. After his retirement from athletics, Dick has been active in the financial services field and as President of Besnier Financial Group, Inc. in Williamsburg, VA.
Awards:
Year
2004
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Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
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Chapter/Region
Virginia
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