Following in the footsteps of his mentor Richard Mirshak, Sam Rossi also charted his own journey.

Rossi wrestled for Mirshak at Roxbury High School where he was a senior captain as well as district champion and region runner-up. He went on to wrestle at Seton Hall University, where he compiled a 39-3-1 record over three seasons, becoming the first Pirate to qualify for the NCAA Division I tournament. Rossi was a two-time captain and two-time Metropolitan champion.

Rossi returned to his alma mater where he worked as an assistant coach under Mirshak before landing the top job with the program in 1972. In six years, Rossi’s teams compiled a 57-19-3 record with three district team titles and two conference crowns. He coached three state champions, three state runner-ups and 12 regional champions during his tenure.

The Gaels went undefeated with a 13-0-1 mark en route to the No. 1 ranking in the state in 1975. The team finished fourth the following season.

Rossi’s success in the coaching ranks landed him the Region 4 Coach of the Year honor and a spot in the Morris County Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Rossi worked 26 years in the Roxbury Public School District as a teacher, instructor, trainer, coach and athletic director.

Working the whistle, Rossi was a NJSIAA official from 1968-1985, earning many important assignments including the state finals.

Rossi was honored with the Richard Mirshak Award for Excellence in Officiating in 1992. He also is an active member of the Richard Mirshak Scholarship Committee, which raises money for student-wrestlers.

Rossi is retired and lives with his wife, Evelyn, in Mount Gilead, North Carolina. They have two adult children, Kimberly and Keith, along with three grandchildren – Nicholas, Ava and Celia.