Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square, NY, boasts a rich sports history, evident in the banners adorning the gyms, the trophies displayed in cases, and the athletes celebrated on the bulletin board.
The school also features a Wall of Fame with over 50 plaques, honoring the accomplishments and spirit of its athletes, coaches, and supporters. Among the sports for which the Red Hawks are known, wrestling stands out prominently.
The Legacy of Coach Bob Coppola
Central Square wrestling coach Bob Coppola retired in 2012, leaving behind an impressive legacy.
He led the Red Hawks' wrestling team to 522 victories during his tenure. On Nov. 30, 2011, he was awarded a plaque after his 500th win.
According to The Post-Standard, the atmosphere in the gym on that day was "deafening."
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Teary-eyed, Coppola remarked: "All wrestling is, is being a big family; it gets you ready for life. After the season these kids right here will know what it is -- the discipline, the teamwork, and most of all caring for each other."
Bob Coppola's Wrestling Journey
Bob started his wrestling career at Watertown High School under the guidance of Upstate New York Chapter's Hall of Fame Coach, Bob Ridall (2008). At Watertown, he won the Northern Region championship in 1967 and was a member of Ridell's first undefeated team that sported a 13-0-1 record. He would later wrestle at Oswego State for Hall of Fame coach Jim Howard (1997).
Coach Coppola enjoyed a 37-year coaching career in Section III with 35 of those years at the Central Square High School. At Central Square he coached baseball, football and wrestling for the Redmen, and to this day still opens and closes the Central Square Athletic Stadium.
Accomplishments and Accolades
Bob's coaching career has been exceptional. In 1985 he guided George Korthas to the first state championship that Central Square has ever had, and just last year Kole Mulhauser, 2022 Robert Feldmeier Most Valuable Wrestler honoree for the Chapter, became the second state champion for the Redmen.
Additionally, Coppola has coached four NYSPHSAA place winners, fifteen Section III Champions and ten runner-ups during his career at Central Square.
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Furthermore, he was honored as the league's Coach of the Year eight times (1995, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015) and directed 2 Section III Class AA team championships (2007, 2008). Twenty-six of his wrestlers have won more than 100 matches in their careers and two have reached the 200 wins milestone.
Coach Coppola has been acknowledged for his coaching expertise in 2018 by gaining entrance into the Section III Hall of Fame. Moreover, he collected the Section III Service Award and has been recognized by the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce for his service as a coach. In his Section III Hall of Fame bio they stated, "Bob's greatest memories are that he coached his son Jamie and his grandson, Dante, as well as registering his 600th win as a coach."
Words of Appreciation
Bob's son, Jamie, summed up his father's career by stating this: " My father has spent most of his life dedicated to the sport of wrestling and helped to mold many boys into becoming hard-working, responsible adults. It is through the sport of wrestling that my father touched the lives of many, many people. He used the sport of wrestling to connect and help his wrestlers on and off the mat. Coach Bob "Cope" Coppola has amassed many accomplishments that very few coaches have had in their careers." Those powerful words help to describe the impact Bob has had.
Personal Life
Bob has two children, Jamie and Stephanie, and Joyce had one son, Adam, as well as 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Presently they live in Brewerton and spend their winters in Florida.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet held on September 24, 2023, inducted seven distinguished members into its ranks:
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- Robert Coppola: Known for his exceptional coaching career spanning 37 years, predominantly at Central Square High School. His coaching achievements include guiding wrestlers to state championships, coaching multiple Section III Champions, and earning recognition as Coach of the Year multiple times.
- Gary Edwards: An accomplished athlete and coach who excelled in wrestling at Peru Central School. He dedicated himself to coaching various sports, including wrestling, and played a significant role in producing numerous sectional champions and successful wrestling teams.
- Kevin Gallagher: Gallagher, a former athlete and coach at Minisink Valley, had a notable coaching career, leading his teams to several championships and coaching numerous individual wrestling champions.
- Dave Hickson: Hickson, a standout wrestler and official, had an impressive collegiate wrestling career at the University at Buffalo. He excelled both athletically and academically and went on to become a highly regarded wrestling official while also contributing significantly to the business world.
- John Leone: A standout wrestler at Penfield High School and Brockport State, Leone transitioned to coaching where he made a considerable impact, particularly at Penfield, coaching numerous champions and contributing to the sport in various capacities.
- Jack Romagnoli: Romagnoli's wrestling journey began in junior high and continued through high school and college. Beyond wrestling, he co-founded major construction and environmental companies, supporting infrastructure projects and employing former high school wrestlers.
- Tom Stanbro: Hailing from a wrestling family, Stanbro had a successful collegiate wrestling career and later became a highly influential coach, notably at Greene Central School. His coaching career, spanning various schools, included multiple state champions and a significant impact on Section IV wrestling.
These inductees were recognized for their exceptional contributions as athletes, coaches, officials, and influential figures within the wrestling community.