Augie Genovesi
As a 1969 graduate of East Leyden High School, Augie had the privilege of wrestling for Chuck Farina and Jack Leese - two IWCOA and National Wrestling Hall of Fame members. Collegiately, Augie's wrestling skills were finely tuned under the leadership of Art Kraft - yet another Hall of Famer. Unfortunately, injuries cut short his promising career. Undaunted, Augie pursued his love for the sport by taking up officiating while still in college. By 1975, Augie joined forces with Head Coach Paul Froelich to initiate and develop the wrestling program at Chicago High School - Marist. In 1977 Augie moved on to Notre Dame High School in Niles, Illinois to work as an assistant coach for Jon Schaus - yet another Hall of Famer. In 1983 Augie was named as Co-Head Coach at Notre Dame; in 1986 Augie was appointed the Head Coach of the program. Since 1986, under Augie's guidance, the Dons of Notre Dame have won over 400 dual meets, have sent fifty-four individuals to the IHSA State Finals ( seven of which have placed), crowned more than 130 East Suburban Catholic All-Conference wrestlers, 84 All-Area wrestlers, 40 National Team members, 24 Academic All-State wrestlers, and 13 All-Americans - AAU and USA Wrestling. His 2004 squad won a spot in the Elite Eight IHSA Dual Team State Finals. More recently, his Dons won the 2011 IHSA Regional Championship. Like most accomplished individuals, Augie stays involved year round with the sport of wrestling. He earned his Bronze Certification in 1992 and captured his Silver Certification the following year. Twenty-two times Augie has been a member of the Illinois Freestyle and Greco-Roman coaching staffs. In 1997 he served as the Head Freestyle Coach for Team Illinois that traveled to Australia. Two years later, 1999, he was an assistant for Team Illinois that traveled to Italy. He was a member of the coaching staff that competed against Japan in 1983 and 1998; Canada in 1997 and England in 1999. Away from mat side, Augie has served as President-elect and then as President (1992-93) of the IWCOA. He has served as a Board Member of the former Illinois Wrestling Federation. He currently sits on the IWCOA Hall of Fame Selection Committee as well as the IWCOA Executive Board. Long a fixture in Illinois ' wrestling circles, Augie's peers have graciously acknowledged both his achievements and his contributions. He was inducted into the IWCOA hall of Fame in 1994. In 2003 he served as a Grand Marshal at the IHSA Individual State Finals. The East Suburban Catholic Conference place Augie in its Hall of Fame in 2008. The IWCOA, in 2009, honored Augie with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Augie, besides presently being the Dons Head Wrestling Coach and Assistant football coach, serves as a member of the Enrollment Department as well as Assistant Athletic Director.
Awards:
Year
2011
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Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
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Chapter/Region
Illinois
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