A lifelong resident of Hershey, Pennsylvania, Allen R. "Al" Fasnacht wrestled in high school and college.

However, instead of coaching, Fasnacht decided to officiate, and officiate he did.

From 1957 to 1971 Al officiated 468 dual meets and 76 tournaments, including two NCAA Division I and six NCAA Division III national tournaments. He served the Harrisburg Chapter Wrestling Officials as secretary and rules interpreter for many years.

Along with Sam Harry, he started the wrestling program at Hershey Junior College in 1964, and in 1965, Matt Kline won the National Junior College Championship.

In the 1970s after retiring as an official, he did go into coaching. He was a volunteer assistant for Jerry Petrofes at Lebanon Valley College, where he coached his son Neil.

Al has been involved in the sport of wrestling as an official, coach and contributor for more than 50 years.