In 2012, Bernard Nasser celebrated 50 seasons in wrestling as an athlete, coach and official.

Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he attended James M. Coughlin High School, where he was a member of the cross country team and wrestled for four years.

Following graduation in 1967, Nasser attended King’s College in Wilkes-Barre and became a member of the school’s first wrestling team. Nasser wrestled for the varsity from 158 to 177 pounds, wherever Hall of Fame coach Ned McGinley needed him.

Before graduating in 1971, Nasser was recruited and accepted a teaching position in the English Department at Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut. He spent 36 years at Fitch, teaching English, public speaking and creative writing and coaching boys soccer for 19 years and wrestling for seven years. Nasser also began a girls softball program in 1975 and coached the team for 15 years.

Nasser resurrected the wrestling program and posted a record of 72-35-2. In 1975, Fitch won the Capital District Conference championship and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference District 3 tournament, a regional qualifying event for the State Open. Nasser led Fitch to the Southeast Athletic Conference title in 1978.

He worked 38 years as a wrestling official, beginning in 1974, served as the vice president (1984-91) and president (1991-93) of the Connecticut Interscholastic Wrestling Officials Association. He also spent more than 10 years as a college official with the New England Wrestling Officials Association. He officiated more than 30 CIAC state tournaments, 20 State Opens and five New England tournaments.

Bernie and his wife, Ellen, have two sons, Bernie, Jr., an engineer, and Dan, a dentist.