William (Bill) Starke began wrestling as an eighth grader at Hicksville Jr. High School and continued his career through high school, where he won the 106-pound North Shore Championship in 1963.

After graduating from high school, Bill became a volunteer assistant coach at Hicksville High School. In 1965 he moved to Holbrook and began coaching in the kids wrestling program at North Shore High School. Both of his sons wrestled at Sachem High School. Bill again volunteered to coach high school and kid programs while developing his two sons. Bill Jr. won three Junior National Championships and two National Championships.

In 1966 Bill joined the Long Island Wrestling Officials Association. He began officiating to help development of kids’ programs on Long Island. He has continued officiating scholastic wrestling since 1966. He is a member of the scholastic officials programs in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. And, he has officiated scholastically for 35 years. Bill has officiated at the Suffolk County Championships in every year since 1969. He has been selected to officiate at 10 New York State Tournaments. The local and state tournaments that he has officiated are too many to enumerate. Most were pro bono.

Bill was introduced to the international styles of wrestling when his sons were interested in post-scholastic wrestling. At the time there were very few people who knew the international rules because of the lack of qualified officials. He volunteered to officiate and coach at many international style tournaments.

By attending every clinic he could, he quickly became an international rules expert. And by evaluating the teaching techniques of his mentor, Hall of Famer Dr. Vince Zuaro, Bill became a knowledgeable clinician. He worked his way up to the title of “Exceptionale” in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. In addition he is a category “E” Exceptionale National Official and a Category “I” F.I.L.A. Official.

Suffolk County selected Bill Starke as “Official of the Year” in 2005.