Fred began his high school wrestling experience at St. Benedicts Prep under Hall of Fame coach John Allen. To quote Coach Allen, Fred was “an extra-ordinary competitor.” He won the New Jersey State Prep School Championship his senior year through strong personal efforts and the desire to give his best every moment he wrestled.

After graduation from St. Benedicts Prep, Fred attended Seton Hall University. While attending college, he began to coach wrestling at Seton Hall Prep serving as head coach from 1963 until 1975. He then assumed the coaching responsibilities for eight years at North Hunterdon Regional High School.

Fred was a superb teacher of wrestling techniques and an exemplary model for the young people he taught. His teams took to the mat to wrestle aggressively for six minutes consistently working to earn a fall and many times succeeding, especially with cradles. His teams always seemed to be at or near the pinnacles of achievement. His total team record after twenty years is 179-95-3. During this time period, his teams won 12 Holiday Tournaments, 11 District titles, 3 Sectional Championships and 2 Group Championships. In a twelve-year period his teams were ranked in the top fifteen in New Jersey placing second in 1973, 1982, and 1983. His wrestler’s individual accomplishments are just as impressive: 78 Holiday Champions, 99 District Champions, 20 Region Champions, and 4 State Champions.

Fred has been recognized by his peers with a variety of honors including the Wilfred E. Cann Coach of the Year in 1984 and his placement in the Coaches Hall of Fame in both Region III (1989) and Region V (1994), an honor few will replicate. One of Fred’s greatest joys of wrestling was working with his two sons, Don and Dennis watching them grow from boys to men. Fred thoroughly enjoyed the experience of seeing a young man have a goal and then, through hard work, dedication, and persistence achieve his goal. That goal could have been winning a championship, defeating a specific opponent, being part of a team that won a great match, or just making the team. A true gentleman of the sport of wrestling, Fred Pierro has earned the respect of the entire wrestling community. His example of sportsmanship, dedication, integrity, and commitment to the sport of wrestling is second to none.