Don Quinn relied upon his faith and the many lessons he drew from wrestling to complete an outstanding career of service to our nation. He wrestled for his legendary father and coach, Donald J. Quinn, at East Rochester High School, and wrestled under the tutelage of National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach, Ed Perry, for two years at the United States Naval Academy. Both were men of strong faith. He graduated from the Academy in 1979 and was commissioned an Ensign, embarking on an exceptional 34 year Navy career that included command of seven different units. He leveraged the life lessons he gained in wrestling to accomplish many great things. Don chose a career in aviation and flew in the A-6 Intruder, a carrier-based bomber, for the first half of his career, completing operational assignments with the "Knightriders" of Attack Squadron (VA) 52, based in Oak Harbor, WA.; the "Nighthawks" of VA 185, based in Atsugi, Japan; and the "Fighting Tigers" of VA 65, based in Virginia Beach, VA. He also served as Deputy Chief of Operations for Commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, directing Operation Southern Watch. On shore duty he distinguished himself in a number of staff assignments and completed a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College and a Master of Science degree in General Management at Salve Regina University. Don transitioned to the carrier-based EA-6B Prowler when the Intruder was retired and commanded Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139, the community training squadron - VAQ 129, and Carrier Air Wing NINE. After attaining flag rank, he commanded Naval Air Training Command, Strike Force Training ATLANTIC, Navy Personnel Command, and Naval Education and Training Command. He was involved in combat operations DESERT STORM, SOUTHERN WATCH, and ENDURING FREEDOM. His personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star. Rear Admiral Quinn is the oldest of six children, with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. His brother Tim, also a Naval Academy graduate, enjoyed a stellar career in the Navy and now works for NRG. His brothers Patrick and Michael are both teachers and coaches. His sisters Diane and Linda also work in the field of education. Diane is an autism specialist and while Linda taught elementary education. Linda also enjoyed a very successful career coaching high school field hockey and lacrosse and college lacrosse. She is currently the lacrosse coach at St. John Fisher College. Following retirement from the Navy, most of Don's time has been invested in non-profit organizations, including his church, the Navy League, and the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. He has been very involved in "Mission: Readiness - Council for a Strong America", an organization composed of retired Admirals and Generals who work to strengthen national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble. Quinn stated this in his March 2018 blog, "I like to think that, in retirement, I am continuing the legacy of my parents by advocating for policies and programs that improve the health, education, and opportunities of our children. Here in Pensacola, we provide information to every new mother about the importance of high-quality early childhood education and frequently address the role physical activity plays in leading a healthy and productive lifestyle. More recently, in my role as a member of Mission: Readiness, I have met with Florida gubernatorial campaigns to stress the importance of high-quality early childhood education, rigorous education standards, and physical activity for Florida's youth." Rear Admiral Quinn is striving to pass on those life lessons taught to him by his family and the sport of wrestling to the parents and children of the state of Florida. Furthermore, in his blog he writes, "I am proud to serve Pensacola and the state of Florida in retirement, in part as a member of Mission: Readiness. It is an honor to join more than 700 other retired flag and general officers who lend their names to such an important cause - to ensure that the next generation of Americans can compete and win, both in our military and in society at large." Rear Admiral Quinn represents the very best of service to his country both in the military and civilian life. With the utmost respect and honor, the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to present RADM Donald P. Quinn with our Outstanding American Award.

There can be no question that Donald Quinn from East Rochester Central School epitomizes the word excellence in all phases of his life. Don is one of the most outstanding football and wrestling coaches in the history of Section V and New York state. Quinn has been considered by many as one of the foremost physical education instructors in the state, and he and his wife, Susan, have parented four exceptional sons who have made a significant impact on their society. Don is the quintessential example of distinction in coaching and education. Don graduated high school from Hamburg Central School and travelled to Cortland State to become a physical education teacher. He never wrestled in high school but was introduced to the sport in his skilled classes at Cortland. Don decided that he would wrestle in the intramural championships at Cortland (which he won) and was instantly spotted by wrestling coach David Miller. Thus started his lifelong passion for a sport that he would excel in as a coach. In addition, Don would experience an exceptional playing career on the Cortland football team, a sport that he would later coach at East Rochester, too. As a matter of fact, in 1989 the high school football playing field for the Bombers was dedicated to him and became known as the "Don Quinn Field." In Don's 1984 bio that appeared for his induction into the SUNY Cortland C-Club Hall of Fame, the following was stated about his outstanding coaching career in wrestling and football, "For a quarter-of-a-century, Don Quinn has been coaching the wrestling and football squads of tiny East Rochester High against the Goliaths of their athletic conferences. And for most of those years, the Quinn-led Bombers have toppled the opposition. In over 30 years as wrestling coach, Quinn has directed East Rochester to an amazing 16 league championships, eight East-West crowns, 13 consecutive sectional titles and, in 1983-84, the top spot among all the wrestling teams of New York State. His grapplers have posted a combined record of 368-54-9. Quinn has been named New York State Wrestling Coach of the Year on five different occasions." He has coached 4 New York State champions (Tim Gay, Rich McPhee, Chris Schojan and John Zito) and many more Section V champions, including this year's presenter for Scott Freischlag, Chris Bourne. Furthermore, Quinn's record on the gridiron has been equally impressive. In 25 football campaigns, he has coached the Bombers to an overall mark of 177-76-6 and seven league championships. In 1978, his Bomber squad went 10-0-0 winning the Class A Championship and earning Quinn the New York State Football Coach of the Year honors. His 1978 team was also ranked first in the big school division for New York State. Don's sons Tim, Patrick, Don and Michael are wonderful examples of how successful Don and Susan were regarding parenting. Trm attended and graduated the United States Naval Academy and served 21 years in the Navy. His son, Michael, graduated from East Stroudsburg State and is a special education teacher and his son, Patrick, is a Cortland State graduate who teaches and coaches wrestling in Arizona. Donald P. Quinn is a United States Naval Academy graduate and has spent 36 years in the Navy. He retired from the Navy in 2014 as a Rear Admiral and had been awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. Additionally, he was the 17th commander of the Naval Education and Training Command. The Quinn sons have certainly followed in their father's footsteps of greatness. Furthermore, Don's two daughters, Diane and Linda have done great work in their respective fields. Diane is an autism specialist, training parents to live and work with their autistic children. While Linda has been a physical education teacher for over 35 years, coaching field hockey and lacrosse. She is currently coaching lacrosse at St. John Fisher College where the team has participated in the NCAA tournament. Don's faith is a vital part of his life. Don stated, "My career is faith based and served as my strength as a coach, father, educator and person." In 1979, he was named Rochester Catholic Layman of the Year and has indicated that he starts each day by attending Mass. Coach Quinn attributes his overwhelming success to "hard work and the good Lord." And we thank the good Lord for providing our children with great educators and coaches like Don Quinn. The Upstate Chapter salutes Coach Don Quinn for his many accomplishments.