Frank Bettucci, who was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2015, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 87.

“Frank Bettucci was a remarkable wrestler and person,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “He is someone we will always be able to use as an example of how you can be a great wrestler, person and patriot.”

He was also recognized as an Outstanding American by the Upstate New Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003 as well as being a member of the New York State Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Hall of Fame.

Cornell University has long been recognized as one of the premier college wrestling programs in the country. Anyone associated with the program knows that Bettucci was a big part of laying the groundwork for future success.

Growing up in Ithaca, New York, Bettucci was a three-time Section IV wrestling champion. He was captain of the Ithaca High School wrestling, football, and golf teams prior to attending Cornell. He would lead the Big Red to new heights.

The EIWA is known as one of the most prestigious wrestling tournaments in the country. Bettucci won 147-pound titles in 1951, 1952 and 1953 and led the Big Red to a runner-up finish at the 1953 EIWA tournament. His 1953 tournament was particularly memorable as he wrestled four matches and pinned all four of his opponents. He was named Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts.

During his junior season in 1952, Bettucci went undefeated. However, he did not compete at the NCAA tournament. He would more than make up for it at the 1953 NCAA Championships. Cornell’s wrestling superstar went 5-0 and was again named Outstanding Wrestler. He also led his team to a third-place finish.

Overall, he was 50-3 during his collegiate career with undefeated junior and senior seasons.

Success in freestyle wrestling followed his distinguished collegiate career. He won national AAU championships in 1957 and 1960. Bettucci won the final Olympic Trials in 1956, but a knee injury just before the Olympic Games kept him from competing. He reached the finals of the 1960 Olympic Trials, but lost a decision to eventual gold medalist Shelby Wilson in the last round.

Bettucci was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and spent most of his post-college career serving overseas on various assignments with the Agency for International Development. He also served as an assistant coach at Cornell.