In 1967, Tony Melosci became the assistant wrestling coach at Deer Park High School, under the guidance of future hall of famer Ed Luksik. Melosci became head wrestling coach in 1974 and served in the position until 1979.

Having never wrestled before, Melosci credits Luksik with giving him the solid foundation of wrestling skills that would shape his coaching career for years to come.

While at Deer Park, he coached many league and county place finishers along with all-state wrestlers Nick Gallo, Mike Nock, Joe Downey, Ted DiPasquale, and Howie Greenblatt.

He was an assistant wrestling coach at Hofstra University from 1980 to 1983, under head coach and former NCAA champion Gallo.

Melosci returned to the high school coaching ranks in 1984 at Lindenhurst High School with future hall of famer Joe Russo. While at Lindenhurst, he coached a number of all-league and all-county place finishers, along with all-state wrestlers Mark Frole and Rob Friese. He retired from teaching and coaching in Long Island in 1997.

Melosci took his talents down south after leaving Long Island. He served as an assistant coach in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he would coach his first high school folkstyle state champion. He went on to become head coach for one year in Gainesville, Georgia, and ended his coaching career as an assistant coach at Citrus High School in Inverness, Florida.

He served eight years as the co-state chairman for New York USA Wrestling. He has also been the team leader for New York’s cadet, junior freestyle and Greco-Roman teams at the National Championships.

While leading New York at the Nationals, he coached numerous All-Americans, including national cadet freestyle champion Ted DiPasquale, national junior freestyle champions Peter Yozzo and Dan Mayo, and national junior Greco-Roman champions Bill Starke and Willie Warren. He also served four years as the Northeast Regional Kid Director for USA Wrestling.

He started officiating freestyle and Greco-Roman in 1975 and continues today. In 1982, he received his international FILA Official License. In 1988, Tony earned the FILA E Level, which is the highest level of international officiating. Melosci credits Mort Geller, Chuck Almeida, and Bill Stecklein, all Olympic Exceptionale Officials, for mentoring him in his journey of international officiating. He also earned the title of “Official of the Year,” which recognizes the top official in the USA.

He officiated 16 World Championships at all levels while also working 25 USA Open championships, 15 World Team Trials, the 1988 Pan American Games, and at least three world police and fire games.

Tony is married to Terry, and has two sons, Brian and Tim.