Walter D. “Brick” Stone founded the Hofstra University wrestling program in 1946.

A native Long Islander, Brick was well known for his many achievements at Lynbrook High School on the track and field team, including being the National AAU Junior steeplechase champion in 1937.

A varsity trackman at the University of Michigan for three years, he also played football with former United States President Gerald Ford.

Brick served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Shortly after his discharge, he was hired by Hofstra. One of his first assignments was head track coach and trainer.

Later, despite having no previous experience with wrestling, he was charged with setting up a collegiate program and getting it ready for competition.

His love for and devotion to this sport were apparent to the student-athletes on campus, and his tireless efforts and integrity attracted the students necessary to get his program started.

In the beginning it was his charisma that jump-started the process, a critical factor at a time when financial aid was minimal.

During his early career as coach he studied under Mepham High School legend and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Frank “Sprig” Gardner. He also attended summer wrestling camps conducted by the great Lehigh coach Billy Sheridan, also a Distinguished Member of the Hall of Fame.

Brick Stone quickly acquired a vast knowledge of the intricacies of the mat game and firmly established himself as one of the better young college wrestling coaches in the East.

In a few short years he gained the attention and esteem of other coaches from larger and more established wrestling programs. Schools such as Iowa, Michigan, and Pittsburgh showed up on the Hofstra schedule in the early 1950s while the program was still developing.

This was a testimony to one man, Brick Stone, who was recognized for his total commitment to the sport. And this commitment, coupled with his quiet but intense competitive spirit would be an asset to Hofstra wrestling for many years. Brick completed his coaching career with a record of 80-54-4.

He went on to hold other positions at Hofstrab before his retirement in 1978.

His family has also been involved in the wrestling program since its inception and continues to do so.

Brick’s widow Muriel attends most home matches and is regularly recognized at Hofstra wrestling functions. His son Donald was an outstanding wrestler at Penn State and an Eastern Division champ. Another son, Briton, has been employed at the university as an assistant equipment manager for almost 40 years. Briton's faithful service was recently recognized during a presentation at halftime of a Hofstra and Lehigh football game.

Although Brick has been gone for some time now, the foundation he created for the Hofstra wrestling program is alive and well.

After surviving the peaks and valleys of most sports programs, Hofstra’s wrestling picture has never been bigger, brighter, or better.

Led by Coach Tommy Ryan and his talented staff, Hofstra enjoys national recognition and ranks among the top programs in the country.

The very first step in this 60-year-old program was taken by Brick Stone.