Andy Thal
Andy grew up in Bellefonte. There was no elementary wrestling, but at age 7, he attended varsity practice, watching instruction by legendary Coach Glenn Smith and rolling around on the mat with varsity guys. Mike Flanagan coached Andy in high school, as he earned 3 varsity letters and was the captain his senior year.
After graduation, Andy joined the US Army in November 1959. Stationed in Germany, he joined the boxing team and was the 28th battle group champion and 24th Infantry Division runner-up. After his discharge, Andy returned to Bellefonte and worked as a technician at a local chemical lab. He later worked for North American Refractories, retiring in 2003.
In the mid 1960's Andy started an elementary wrestling program at the Bellefonte YMCA, the first organized elementary program in the County. He had wrestlers from all four schools and taught the fundamentals to prepare them for the future. Many of his wrestlers had successful careers – some becoming district and regional champions. One became a 2-time state champion and an All-American at Penn State.
From 1968-70, he wrestled for and coached the Bellefonte YMCA Team, made up of young men from all over the county. In 2 of the 3 years, Andy won the state championship at his weight. In 1968 Bellefonte won the team title, while Andy was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Also in 1968, Andy was encouraged to become a PIAA wrestling official by Hall of Famer Sam Markle, a dear friend, and longtime official. In a 20-year career, Andy had a busy dual meet schedule, and Sectional, District and Regional tournaments. He worked 4 State Championships and was selected for the AAA finals each year. Andy was considered one of the premier and most-preferred officials for major dual meets and tournaments. He was regarded to be one of the finest referee mentors in Pennsylvania. After the 1988 season, Andy retired to follow his son Jim's high school wrestling career. In 1991, Jim won the 125 lb. AAA State Championship.
Andy was named Bellefonte Jaycee Man of the Year in 1988, for his MANY years of voluntary involvement with the town’s youth programs, little league baseball and wrestling. He later became head coach of the Bellefonte Elementary Wrestling program. He was a volunteer Jr High coach, then a volunteer with the varsity team before retiring from coaching in 2012. Andy was inducted into the Bellefonte Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004, and is now chairman of the HOF Committee. Andy was inducted into the Centre County Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Andy and his wife Denise live in Bellefonte and both still volunteer extensively in the area.
Awards:
Year
2022
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Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
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Chapter/Region
Pennsylvania
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