Robert MacNeil

Bob MacNeill was a pioneer in the sport of wrestling, both as a coach and as an official. He served the sport well for 32 years as an official and over 20 years as a coach. He began his wrestling career at Homer High School and continued at SUNY Cortland. In 1959, Bob married his wife Susan and together they raised two children; Lisa and Michael. In 1959, he also accepted a teaching position at Walton High School where he started the wrestling program. Bob coached three NYSPHSAA Section IV champions, all of who were State place winners; Don Stanton was a State Champion. As wrestling coach, Bob began what is now known as the "Cuneen-Doane Wrestling Tournament," in honor of two former Walton wrestlers who gave their lives for our country during the war in Vietnam. During Bob's coaching career, his teams were 131-73-0 in dual meets. He retired from coaching in 1980 and has since been inducted into the Section IV Hall of Fame for his coaching accomplishments. In 1959, Bob became a charter member of the South Central Wrestling Official's Association (SCWOA) now known as the Section Four Wrestling Official's Association (SFWOA). As a wrestling official, Bob was one of Section IV's finest. Before New York State divided the state championship into two divisions, Bob was selected to officiate in the New York State Championship Tournament three times. He officiated the Section IV finals ten times. In 1987, the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association (NFIOA) recognized Bob with the National Wrestling Officials' Outstanding Official Award. For his many years of dedication to the sport of wrestling, the New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of Robert MacNeill by inducting him into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Awards:

Year
2012
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
New York - Upstate

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