Joe Krufka is a man whose life was intricately involved with wrestling. He began his wrestling career in 1946 at Plymouth High School, Plymouth, Pennsylvania in the wrestling-rich Wyoming Valley. After graduation, he entered the Navy and soon qualified for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, an experience he relished. His accomplishments as a wrestler are significant: four times Wilkes Open Champion, Rhode Island AAU champion, New England AAU Champion, placed second and third in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling tournament and second and third in the NCAA Championships. His losses in the NCAA championships were to the legendary Dan Hodge.

Joe wrestled for Hall of Famer Charlie Speidel at Penn State University where he was an All American selection in 1954 and 1955. Following graduation, he went on to coach high school and college wrestling in Morris County during a nearly four decade teaching career. He started the wrestling program at Hanover Park and the college program at Fairleigh Dickson University in Madison. To promote wrestling, he started the first Morris County Novice Tournament and conducted many clinics throughout Morris County. Somehow he managed to squeeze in time as a wrestling official and worked District and State level competition as well as college matches.

A talented and respected teacher, Krufka was selected as the New Jersey Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year in 1975. But his heart remained in wrestling as a coach and official. When you wrestled for Coach Krufka, you became one of his family. His demeanor, personality, and example conveyed the notion that wrestling is more than a sport; it’s discipline, sacrifice, cooperation, and a strong work ethic, characteristics needed for success in life. Those who wrestled for him grew to appreciate the values he shared as they matured into adulthood.

Krufka received many awards and honors most notably the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, North East Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the Wall of Fame at Fairleigh Dickson University at Madison, and the induction as a charter member into the Morris County Hall of Fame.