The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to re-introduce the 2021 honorees for our annual awards ceremony which will be held on September 19, 2021 at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse, New York at noon. We will have our social and display of individual exhibits in the Crossroads Room.

The following individuals will be receiving the Lifetime Service Awards at the ceremony. James Cranfield who coached at Cayuga Community College and also officiated at the NYSPHSAA on several occasions. Additionally, Jim was selected for the Region III Junior College Wrestling Hall of Fame and numerous other Hall of Fames. In 1990 Jim was inducted into Cortland's "C" Club and in 1994 Cranfield was awarded the State University of New York Chancellor's Award of Excellence in Education.

Eric D’Arcy, wrestling coach at Newark Valley, has been selected as well. Eric has guided his teams to many IAC League and sectional titles. Coach D’Arcy was responsible for the rebuilding of the Cardinal wrestling program into one of the powerhouses in Section IV. Furthermore, his has had an illustrious career as a cross-country coach … winning a class C - New York State Championship.

Mitch Clark, a NCAA Champion for Ohio State in 1998 , will join the honorees at the Double Tree.  Mitch wrestled and coached at Ohio State and has been an assistant coach at Cornell University. In addition, Mitch is a renowned clinician, working many summer wrestling camps throughout the country. Mitch will follow his father, John who was the wrestling coach and Athletic Director at St. Lawrence University, into the Upstate’s Hall of Fame.

The Chapter is also honored to recognize Mike Fusilli. Mike was a Division III NCAA Champion for Ithaca College and has served as an assistant coach at Ithaca College, University of North Carolina as well as being the head wrestling coach at Binghamton University. Mike was also on the USA senior freestyle team and ranked in the top six during his tenure on the team.

Eric Romanino has been the Section I state wrestling chairman for many years and has been at the forefront of Section I wrestling throughout his celebrated career. Eric started the Section I Dual Meet Championships and has been instrumental in developing a point system for seeding in his section. Moreover, Eric has had a stellar career as the head wrestling coach at Beacon High School.

The above will be joined by Tom Shifflet an outstanding wrestler and coach. Shifflet ranks as one of the all-time greats for Edinboro University where he was a three time All-American for the Fighting Scots. Following a successful wrestling career, he has been the head coach at University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Hofstra. Tom was a 2-time NYSPHSAA wrestling champion for his father, Joe a 2003 inductee into the Chapter’s Hall of Fame, at Sweet Home High School in Section VI.

The Outstanding American Award will be presented to Timm Slade. Timm was a Section VI wrestling champion and went on to wrestle and play football at Brockport State. The Slade’s family name is prominent at wrestling in Section VI. Brother Todd was a Division III NCAA national champion at Brockport and Scott was a successful wrestler for University of Buffalo. Slade has been at the vanguard in promoting wrestling for both girls and boys. Additionally, until his retirement this year Timm was the Executive Director of Athletics for Section VI.

Jim Hughes will be receiving the Medal of Courage Award from the Chapter. Jim who has been blind since an early age has been able to overcome many challenges and become a highly regarded social studies teacher at Farmingdale High School on Long Island. Jim wrestled for Hall of Fame coach Bob Zifchock and captained his high school wrestling team in his senior year at Valley Central. Jim has been recognized for the Freida J. Riley Teacher Award which honors an American teacher who overcomes adversity or makes an enormous sacrifice in order to positively impact students. He also directs the Mock Trial Team and Ethics Team at Farmingdale High School.

Marcia Albrecht will be accepting the Volunteer Award which is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a strong commitment to wrestling in their community. In addition, Rob Centoriano will be given the Stanbro Media Award for his outstanding contributions in the field of media that promotes the sport of wrestling.