Bio

Gary Ventimiglia was a standout high school and collegiate wrestler but it was his significant contributions to the sport as a competitor and a coach--during an all-too-short career, ended by his death in 1992, that earned him a hallowed spot in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

At SUNY Orange, Ventimiglia carried the Colts’ blue and orange colors to the 1970 Junior College national tournament where he finished in second place at his weight class. He later capped his collegiate career by winning a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship at 150 pounds in 1972 while competing for Lock Haven University.

Ventimiglia’s greatest contributions to the sport of wrestling came as a high school competitor and coach on Long Island. As a student at Island Trees High School, he was a two-time Nassau County champion and placed second at the 1968 New York State High School wrestling championships. He later returned to his alma mater to work alongside legendary coach Ted Petersen, helping guide Island Trees to two Nassau County team championships.

He also coached many wrestlers to county and state titles before assuming command of the wrestling programs at North Shore and East Meadow high schools. At East Meadow in 1983, he was named Nassau County Coach of the Year. Ventimiglia was also an assistant football coach at Levittown Division Avenue High School.