Of the many occupations subject to unceasing criticism and verbal attacks, perhaps that of wrestling official is only exceeded in opprobrium by that of school administrator. Louis Pettinelli has exhibited years of grit and high purpose by magnificently performing both jobs simultaneously. Lou is a native of Rome, New York, and a graduate of Rome Free Academy, Class of 1951. He was a football player and continued his gridiron feats at Cortland State where he lettered in the game for three years and was selected as game captain five times. He also lettered in lacrosse twice. Upon graduating with a B.S. Degree in Physical Education in 1955, Lou began his career in education at Central Square Central School, somewhat north of Syracuse, teaching Health and Physical Education and coaching J.V. Basketball and serving as Assistant Varsity Football Coach. In 1958, he began the wrestling program at Central Square and served as Head Coach until 1966. By 1963, he produced two Sectional Champions who wrestled in the first State Tournament held that year at Cornell. In 1965, Lou was named Director of Health and Physical Education at Central Square and discovered his talents as an administrator. The following year he became the Assistant Principal at Millard Hawk Junior High School and had to leave coaching behind. In 1971, he became the Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Coordinator of Federal Projects, in which capacity he served the Central Square Central School District until 1976 when he was tapped to serve as Assistant Superintendent. From 1977 until his retirement in 2003, Lou was integral to the success of BOCES in Oswego County, serving as Assistant Superintendent for Programs and Operations from 1977 to 1995 and as Deputy Superintendent/Executive Director of Human Resources from 1995 until his retirement. His responsibilities were legion and included the supervision of all administrative staff and program operations, serving as liaison to county agencies and assuming the duties of District Superintendent whenever necessary due to that official's absence. Somehow, in 1983, Lou found time to organize and begin the lacrosse program at Central Square Central Schools and to put in two years as its volunteer coach while it was a club activity. Guess he missed coaching after all. Lou's great contributions to New York wrestling have come in the area of officiating. In 1958, he became a charter member of the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association, and he remains active in the organization today. He is a past president of the Association and has been awarded lifetime membership therein in recognition of his outstanding services thereto. He served as Vice President of the New York State Wrestling Officials Association from 1968 to 1970, as its President from 1970 to 1972, and he has been a member of the Executive Committee of the NYSWOA continuously since 1968. Also, Lou has continuously served as representative for the NYSWOA to the New York State Public High School Officials Coordinating Federation since the inception of the Federation in 1969, where he has served as Recording Secretary and as Vice Chairman. Since 1970, Lou has served as the Floor Manager of the New York State Championship Wrestling Tournament, coordinating all the activities of the volunteer officials serving as timers, scorers, runners, sergeants of arms and other security personnel. As Grandpa used to say, he has earned a high place in Heaven! As a proud alumnus of Cortland State, Lou has served as Co-Chairman of the Syracuse Area Cortland College Alumni Chapter, he has been active in on-campus and off-campus job networking sessions for students and Cortland graduates, and he has helped the Alumni Office coordinate activities and promote attendance at reunions and other functions. He also serves as President of the SUNY Cortland C Club, the athletic program's booster club. Lou served, from 1979 to 2002, as a member of the Private Industry Council, a volunteer committee overseeing job skills training programs for welfare recipients, underemployed workers and dislocated workers. He was Secretary and Treasurer of this worthy organization from 1990 to 1997. He was a member of the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board from 2002 to 2004. In 1988, Lou became a member of an economic development committee called COMCO which administers a revolving loan fund to create new industries and retain existing ones in Cortland, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga and Onondaga Counties. He has been President of COMCO since 1993. Since 1978 Lou has been a Board Member of Operation Oswego County, a local economic development agency, serving as its president from 1982 to 1996. He also put in two years on the Board of Directors of the Oswego County Catholic Charities. In 1984, the National Federation of State High School Associations presented Lou its Distinguished Service Award (presented by the National Federation's Interscholastic Officials Association) in appreciation of his outstanding service and devotion to interscholastic athletics. In 1987, Lou was inducted into the Section III Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was inducted into the New York State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. Cortland State honored him with induction into its "C" Club Hall of Fame in 1998. And he was made a member of the Central Square Central Schools Wall of Fame in 2002. In 2003, the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association named their scholarship, awarded annually to a Section III wrestler, the Pettinelli-Hawke Scholarship in recognition of tireless dedication to the sport of wrestling in New York State. In 1997, the Martin Rose Economic Developer Award was presented to Lou in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding dedication, commitment, vision and leadership 10 helping to enhance the economy and the quality of life in Oswego County.