When you mention the name of Bob Koshinski in Western New York state sports, superlatives ring out.  Koshinski, the 2017 Stanbro Media Award winner for the Upstate New York Chapter of the NWHoF, has fronted the promotion of all sports for both genders in the Buffalo area but wrestling has always been in the forefront.

Bob shared a special story about how he began his wrestling career in 7^th grade. Koshinski had signed up for the intramural wrestling tournament at the Niagara Wheatfield’s Edward Town Junior High in 1967 and proceeded to win the 85 pound weight class and that victory helped to propel his love and passion for the sport. Bob would later wrestle and win the Section VI 138 pound weight class for Hall of Fame coach, Armand “Ace” Cacciatore who has been inducted in seven regional and national hall of fames for his coaching achievements. Ace and Bob share a very special athlete/coach relationship that has endured to this day.

Throughout Koshinski’s career he has been at the vanguard of the sport … he was the first to televise a high school wrestling match in Section VI, the first to broadcast the NYSPHSAA finals on television and numerous other firsts for promoting the sport. His work with the DiPaolo’s Scholarship Award further illustrates his strong dedication to all the sports in his community. Bob has maintained relevancy by using many other forms of media to encourage the development and exposure of the current sports scene. Wrestling is greatly indebted to all that Bob Koshsinski has contributed while advocating for our sport.