Dick Matarante began his involvement with wrestling at Union High School where he credits wrestling coach Walt Shallcross with planting the seed of wrestling, a seed of love for the sport. Dick had a teaching career that spanned four different high schools: Saint Aloysisus, Seton Hall Prep, Governor Livingston, and ultimately Wallkill Valley where he served as Supervisor of Health and Physical Education. Dick coached football, wrestling, and baseball at the high school level and endeared himself to students with his positive attitude and engaging personality. An accomplished football official, Dick shines equally as well as an outstanding wrestling official. Dick worked the State Tournament finals for ten consecutive years. He was especially sought after to officiate some of the most competitive dual meets throughout the state. His love of wrestling and need to become involved in the ongoing process of improving younger officials found him developing and monitoring an extremely effective cadet program to help officials gain the skills for future success. He helped craft a program to ensure that young officials would be prepared. Recognized for his ability as an official, Dick received the prestigious Richard C. Mirshak Award for Excellence in Officiating the very first year the award was presented. The National Federation Officials Association honored him as the Official of the Year in 2000, and he received the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association’s “Distinguished Service Award” in 1991 for his contribution to the improvement of sports officials.