Roy Guarino started his wrestling career in junior high school at an intramural tournament. After winning his weight class, Roy decided that wrestling was the sport for him. He was able to win the intramural crown twice and his wrestling career was in full motion.

Roy became known for his imposing style. He always pushed the action, wrestling toe to toe until his opponent was beaten or time expired. Such was his battle plan as an Amherst Tiger under the instruction of HOF coach Norm Foster.

Following a stellar career in high school, Roy attended Corning Community College and was a national qualifier and on the all-region III junior college team. Additionally, Roy captained the Corning team. In 1971, Roy transferred to the University at Buffalo. Wrestling for the Bulls under HOF coach Ed Michael, he was named the most improved wrestler and was twice a D-I national wrestling qualifier. Both these UB teams cracked the top 15 national rankings. A career highlight happened when the Bulls defeated Clarion University. At the time, the Clarion Eagles boasted 3 national champions as starters; Wade Schalles, Bill Simpson, and Gary Barton.

On a post collegiate whim, Roy entered the State Police games where he had to settle for a silver medal. Now Roy confines his competitive fevers to pickle-ball where he is still very successful on the senior games level.

Roy Guarino started coaching after his Buffalo graduation in 1973. His first coaching duties were at Genesee Community college for one season. Then he settled into a high school coaching career in Section VI. While at Williamsville East High school, Coach Guarino guided his team to an undefeated season and one of his wrestlers, Kevin McNulty, garnered the most valuable wrestler award of Section VI. That 1978-1979 team was also inducted into the Williamsville East Hall of Fame. Moreover, Coach Roy Guarino has been named the Section VI Coach of the Year on two separate occasions; once at Williamsville East High school, and another time at Lakeshore High school. Following a very successful run in high school coaching, Roy has been dedicated to promoting wrestling on the youth level. His body of work in that division is certainly noteworthy.

Roy embarked on a law enforcement career at the University at Buffalo following his high school coaching days. He continued to be very successful at that profession as well as rising to the rank of Lieutenant in the university police force. He was twice named “officer of the year” and has been instrumental in training [coaching] new law officers. Roy has stated that he has used wrestling moves and holds on combative suspects to help subdue them.

Roy has stated that wrestling has given him many things. Perhaps the most important one being that the sport has taught him to be mentally and physically prepared for anything in life.

Roy’s biggest win however, must be his marriage to his college sweetheart, Sally Boice. The couple recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. They have 5 children; Adam, David, Nick, Lindsay, and Matthew, and 6 grandchildren. David followed in his Dad’s footsteps, wrestling for UB and winning a MAC title.

“Horns up . . . Go Bulls!!!”