Consider a Head Coach for 10 years who has molded and developed hundreds of wrestlers as athletes & students into productive citizens. Then as Asst. Coach who, out of the limelight, toiled for more than 20 years to coach & support wrestling programs. Such is Denny D'Andrea, the recipient of the 2011 Harry E. Lake Award for outstanding contributions to NJ Wrestling. Attending Raritan High School in Hazlet, graduating in 1968 where he excelled in baseball, football & wrestling, he graduated Glassboro State College in 1972. Denny began his coaching career as a volunteer at Manalapan high School before taking over as the Head Coach at Freehold High School for 1973-77. Then returned to Manalapan High as the Head Wrestling Coach (1977-82) where his teams won the Shore Conference Tournament & District 24 championships in 1981 & 1982. Denny made a significant career move, becoming the Asst. Wrestling Coach under Coach Tony Caravella at Brick Memorial for 20 years (1983-2002) and was instrumental in their domination in the 1980's & 1990's. He also coached football & baseball. Brick Memorial in those years won 12 Conference, 10 State Sectional Central Jersey Group 3 & 5 Group 3 Titles while amassing 26 District Titles. At Manalapan & Brick Memorial, he enjoyed 5 State Champs, 44 Regional & 120 District Champs. Many honors came his way, being inducted into the Halls of Fame at Manalapan High School, Raritan H.S., Region 6, & NJ Coaches; & selected 2 time Region Coach of the Year & Asbury Park Press Coach of the Year. Coach Caravella stated "Denny had more to do with making our program the success it was, & still is, than any single person, including myself. He is a worker thru and thru, a person who never looks for the easy way out, but rather the way that is right. He imparted much more than wrestling technique to his minions. Coach D'Andrea preached work ethic, character, family, commitment, pride & above all, loyalty. He did it with class and dignity. He taught young boys how to become men & ultimately, good fathers and husbands."a But his impact in the sport extended beyond his own wrestlers. He was the Region 6 Ranking Chairman for several years & served on the selection committee for the Sectional/Group Tournament. Founding the "Mustang Zoo" over 25 years ago, still the state's largest sub-varsity tournament. He directs & runs the Mustang Classic during the Christmas break, plays a huge role in making the State All-Star Meet a success, helps run district tournaments, has demonstrated at countless clinics, served as weigh master & head table clerk at the Group Championships, & has supported the sport in every capacity. Denny is now Head Wrestling Coach at St. John Vianney HS in Holmdel. Denny is particularly proud of his 7 former wrestlers who became head coaches and 30 others who also continued in this vocation. Contemporary Bill Savage, a Wrestling HOF Inductee, wrote, "wrestling is not a sport but a way of life & the values you receive from wrestling will be a major importance in your success in life. As a coach it is your responsibility to instill these values into every member of your team & every wrestler you come in contact with. Denny has spent his life helping spread these ideals." Coach D'Andrea related, "I was a 'throw away kid,' going on my own at 16 & paid my own way. I worked ridiculous hours & when I graduated from Glassboro (Rowan) I didn't owe anyone anything I knew there were kids out there just like me. When I went to high school a few coaches took me under their wing. They cared about me. I knew what I was destined to do one day. I sincerely cared about my kids. They knew it. I was very demanding. VERY. If I ever get selected to the Hall of Fame I want my kids to know it was due to them, not me. I have accomplished what I set out to do." Well Denny, you have been elected into the Hall of Fame. Click for a video interview with Denny at his induction to the NJ NWHOF.