Joe Luongo is going to need a new trophy case. Receiving the Lifetime Service Award is another in a long line of hardware that highlights 50 years of giving back to the sport.

Coming off graduation from the University of Nebraska, Joe hit the ground running by being hired as a coach at Hasbrouck Heights High School in 1971.

Five years later he became a member of the New Jersey Wrestling Officials Association, went on to be State President of the group, Northeast Chapter President, Northeast Chapter Cadet Supervisor, Region 2 Seeding Chairperson for 12 years, and since 2010 has been State Evaluator.

Along the way he was inducted into the New Jersey Coaches NJSIAA Region 2 Hall of Fame, the NJSIAA Region 4 Hall of Fame, Bergen County Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, Emerson High School Hall of Fame, Hasbrouck Heights Hall of Fame (team), was awarded the New Jersey Wrestling Association’s Richard Mirshak Award and the NJWA Russo Golden Whistle Award.

As a coach he was 49-9-1, won two district titles and coached a state champion in heavyweight Bill Spindler. He has officiated 40 district tournaments, 33 regionals and 27 state tournaments. As wrestler at Emerson he was 14-0 as a senior and was the school’s first district champ. He also wrestled at Nebraska.

Off the mat he was an assistant football coach and head tennis coach at both Elmwood Park and Hasbrouck Heights, then athletic director in the Elmwood Park school system. Away from the athletic fields Joe was a principal there, and served as president of the Bergen County Superintendent’s Association. He retired after serving as Superintendent of the Hasbrouck Heights Public Schools.

State-wide, wrestling fans might recognize Joe from his legendary pin call. He launched himself into the air, blowing his whistle, then slamming the mat with his hand.

 Yeah. That guy.

Joe and his wife Lynn split their time in Emerson and Fort Myers, FL. They have two grown children: Matthew and Lisa; and four grandchildren.