Left to right: Bill Cuff, Mark McLaughlin, Sam Appello, Louis Jasmine, Bill Henderson, Doug Oliver, Tom Hutchinson, Al Reinoso

NEW! - 2016 Banquet Program

The New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Stillwater, Oklahoma, is once again preparing to induct new members at its annual induction banquet on Sunday, September 18, at the Westin Hotel in Princeton, New Jersey.  Lifetime Service to Wrestling Awards will be presented that day in a banquet setting to:  Deane G. Oliver Jr. (Deceased), Al Reinoso, Sam Appello, William Henderson, Tom Hutchinson, and Lou Jasmine.   Henry L. Boresch (Deceased), and Dr. Mark McLaughlin both will be presented with the Outstanding American Award.

Deane G. Oliver Jr. (Deceased),  was the longtime coach at Rutgers University serving as an assistant under the legendary Dick Voliva, and prior to Oliver’s appointment as head coach which then spanned a course of 20 years.  In that time he coached 33 EIWA place winners and an All American in 1981 and 1982.  A well known clinician at the time, Oliver himself wrestled at Rutgers placing three times at the EIWA Tournament, as well as being a two time captain while a student there.

Al Reinoso served in a twenty seven year coaching tenure at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey where in 1974 he secured the head coaching position and began a career which culminated with five NCAA qualifiers, and two NCAA All Americans.  His teams finished twice in the Top 20 at the NCAA  Tournament, and Al was recognized as Coach of the Year in three specific categories in the sport of college wrestling.

Sam Appello began his wrestling career at Roselle Park High School and would later become its head coach in 1983, and that would continue until 2002.  Under his direction, Roselle Park High School would proceed to garner numerous conference, sectional and county team championships and titles, and in 1997, a state champion.  Sam spent his entire teaching career in the Roselle Park Schools where he also served as an assistant coach in baseball, softball, and football to complement his wrestling accomplishments.

William Henderson wrestled at Roxbury High School, and collegiately at Moorhead State University (MN) prior to his initial head coaching experience at Brick Township High School where he coached for seven years prior to securing the same position at Sparta High School in 1983, and remaining there until 2000 when he then retired.  A quality athlete, and the recipient of a host of honors at both at the high school and college levels, Bill is also a member of  his high school and college Halls of Fame.

Tom Hutchinson was a former two time EIWA Champion while at Lehigh University before beginning a most prodigious career in coaching at Blair Academy, followed by a six year stint as head coach at Lehigh University where he coached four NCAA Champions.  He himself an All American, Tom would later commit his time as the director of the New Jersey Junior Freestyle Training Camps, and service on the USA Wrestling Freestyle Committee.

Lou Jasmine is a recognized member of the New Jersey Wrestling Officials Association having officiated for 25 years.  His resume includes numerous assignments at the district, regional, and state levels, and he was the recipient of the prestigious Richard Mirshak Award for excellence as a wrestling official.  A former wrestler himself at the high school level, Lou later went on to establish himself as a highly respected member of the New Jersey State Troopers Association where he provided many years of service, and accumulated a variety of commendations.

Henry Boresch, (Deceased), often referred to as the “founding father” of high school wrestling in New Jersey, retired from the sport in 1964 after 38 years of coaching, 245 victories and only 38 defeats with 8 ties.  He amassed 13 undefeated seasons, and crowned 78 individual state champions.  Henry personified all the ingredients of a successful teacher-coach-mentor by espousing the values of hard work, honesty, commitment to a task, and above all sportsmanship.  The provider to a legendary list of former wrestlers who  to this day have been a success in their own way, the name Henry Boresch will always be connected with the very best of NJ wrestling, and the values it has extended to the community of Newton and well beyond its borders.

Dr. Mark McLaughlin is a well known Neurosurgeon who plies his craft here in New Jersey as well as recognition worldwide.  A graduate of the Pingry School where he was a NJ Prep School Champion in 1982, Dr. McLaughlin later went on to advance his wrestling skills at William and Mary College where he was a 4 year starter, and as its captain helped his team capture the Virginia State Championship in 1988.  His received his medical degree at Virginia Commonwealth University, served a neurosurgical residency at the University of Pitt, followed by a fellowship in complex spine surgery at Emory University.  He remains active to this day in youth wrestling programs in the Princeton, NJ area.

The Class of 2016 will be joined by a host of honorees from the previous 15 years, and many wrestling enthusiasts will have all eyes focused on the Westin Hotel on Sunday, September 18, commencing at 1 pm for what should prove to be once again a “hallmark” event in the history of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Click here for the banquet registration form.