The New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is most pleased to be able to offer Richard F. Vincent membership in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American from New York.

Rick Vincent learned to wrestle at Letchworth Central High School, under Coach John Clark, where he wrestled for four years in numerous weight classes ranging from 120 lbs. to 165 lbs. As a freshman, he won six matches, lost three and tied one. His records as a sophomore, junior and senior were 13-1-0, 14-1-1 and 15-1-0, respectively. He twice won Section V Championship Tournament and was elected team captain.

Rick went on to wrestle for four years at Cornell where he profited from the coaching of Jimmy Miller and Bill Layton and from his association with teammate Steve Friedman. He wrestled for three years on the varsity where he compiled a dual meet record of 28-4, going undefeated as a junior (12-0) and senior (10-0). Overall, he won 54 matches while at Cornell and lost only seven.

He was a two-time runner-up at the EIWA Championships and placed second at the NCAA Championships in 1958, earning All-American honors. He competed at 157 lbs. as a junior and lost in the EIWA finals to the eventual NCAA Champion. He moved down to 147 lbs. his senior year, was elected team captain, and dropped a tough decision to a two-time National champion in the finals of the NCAA tournament.

Over his three years on the Cornell varsity, the team compiled a record of 25-7-2, won Ivy League titles in both 1957 and 1958, and captured the Eastern crown in 1958. Rick was the recipient of the Peter J. Floros Award as Cornell's Most Valuable Wrestler in 1957 and the Carl W.E. Almquist Trophy as the team's Most Improved Wrestler in 1958. That year he also finished in first place in the Buffalo Jewish Invitational Tournament and at the Wilkes Open Tournament.

Rick left Cornell with a Bachelors of Agricultural Engineering in 1959 and began his career in the food industry with Oscar Mayer & Co. in Madison, Wisconsin.

While there, he officiated in meets at the University of Wisconsin and area high schools.

From 1964 to 1968, his career path took him to Hackettstown, New Jersey and the M&M/Mars Division of Mars, Inc.

While at Hackettstown, Rick volunteered his coaching talents to the local high school team and to the Midget program for fourth to eighth graders. During this time, the high school team improved dramatically and produced its first New Jersey state champion (actually a two-time State champion who was undefeated for two years). Hackettstown saw fit to award Rick an appreciation plaque for his efforts on behalf of wrestling there.

Having earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1964, Rick was brought to Chicago by Mars where he further developed his management and technical skills. By 1975 he was handling the scheduling and production output of a plant employing over 1,300 people.

He also found time to do some officiating at Chicago-area high school meets.

Rick's talents in food processing and manufacturing have since been utilized by such giants in the industry as Uncle Ben's Foods, RJR Nabisco and Cadbury Schweppes. He has overseen a wide range of research and development activities and complex manufacturing operations.

In 2004 Rick retired after six years as Vice President, Manufacturing and Operations of Riviana Foods in Houston where he had overseen plant operations, general purchasing, industrial engineering, distribution and warehouse management for seven rice processing and packaging plants in six states.

In 2001 Rick was made a Life Member of the Cornell University Council. He has been a member of the American Management Association's Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing Management Council since 1998. He was a member of the Institute of Food Technologists' Foundation Board from 2003 to 2006, and he served as Chairman of the Texas Section of the IFT from 1977 to 1979. He was Chairman of the Chicago Section of the American Association of Candy Technologists in 1981 and President of that national organization from 1982 to 1984.

He has served as a member of the Institute of Food Science & Engineering Advisory Council at Texas A&M University and is currently a member of Texas A&M's distinguished Department of Nutrition and Food Science Advisory Council.

Rick also serves currently as a member of the Biological and Engineering Council at Cornell. From 2000 to 2004 he contributed his time and talents to the Harris School Child Development Center as a member of its Board of Directors.

Rick's dedication to wrestling has been continuous, manifesting itself in his efforts on behalf of the Finger Lakes Wrestling Club, the College Sports Council, USA Wrestling and the USA Olympic Committee. In 1999 he was inducted into the Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

He was inducted into the Livingston County Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and into the New York State Section V Hall of Fame in 2007.

Rick has long been active in furthering the good works of the Easter Seals organization. He joined the Board of Directors of the Houston branch of that most worthy charity in 1994 and served on the board until 2003. In 2001 he was a Delegate to the Easter Seals National House of Delegates. And since 2002, Rick has been a Regional Board Member and Audit Committee Member of Easter Seals East Texas.

Today, Rick Vincent is pursuing new challenges as a member of the Board of Directors of Patriot Biofuels, Inc. of Houston, Texas.

He is the father of Tara LeeAnn Benson, Shannon Kelly Murphy and Boyd Richard Vincent, and he resides in Houston.

He certainly deserves his designation as an Outstanding American from New York.