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Michael Dergarabedian honored with selection to The National Wrestling
Hall Of Fame
 The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced to its Nominating Chapter, Downstate NY/Friends of Long Island Wrestling, The acceptance of Michael DerGarabedian for induction. The Induction Ceremony and Banquet will take place at the Melville Marriott Hotel on April 27, 2012
In the fall of 1973, freshly cut from basketball, Michael followed his older brother Dean, into the sport of wrestling. That day, according to Michael, was the onset of a forty year relationship with the "finest teacher" in the world.
At Baldwin Junior High School, Under Clark Crespi, one of Long Island's unheralded wrestling coaches, Michael went undefeated in 8th and 9th grade. He won the Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York State and Eastern Coast Nationals titles.
At Baldwin High School, coached by Iowa State Hall of Fame All American, Steve Shippos, Michael earned three Nassau County place finishes (3rd, 3rd, 1st), a 5th place in the 1980 New York State Championship and the OW Award in the prestigious Pittsburgh Classic.; his record at Baldwin was 92-8-1.
During those years Michael competed nationally in freestyle and was coached by a team of soon-to-be Hall of Famers, Nick Gallo, Paul Gillespie and Sam Boone. Under their guidance, Michael won three consecutive New York State Freestyle medals (1st 2nd 2nd ), three East Coast National medals (2nd, 1st 2nd) and represented New York State at the national tournament three consecutive summers in Iowa City, Iowa.
Michael's earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan. He wrestled for Wolverine coaches' Dale Bahr, Joe Wells, Steve Fraser and Mark Churella for five years (1980 - 85). He enjoyed an outstanding college career earning a spot in the starting line up four of those years and placing in the Big 10's Championship multiple times.
Upon graduation, Michael went to Law School at University of Bridgeport. While attending law school, he volunteered as the head coach of the Fairfield Prep wrestling team and guided the Jesuits to a fourth place in the State tournament, their highest place in history. Upon graduating law school, Michael accepted a job in Hartford, Connecticut. While there, Michael continued to volunteer as an assistant coach at Central Connecticut University under Head Coach Ken Destefinis. Following wrestling, Michael used the skills learned in the wrestling room on the field, playing for the Long Island Rugby Club for approximately 15 years.
Michael is a prominent Long Island Attorney, an elected official (Trustee of Old Brookville) with five young children, but he still finds the time to assist the wrestling community. You can always find him offering free legal services and support to any wrestler in need, or spending many evenings a week instilling his love for the sport to the newest generation of wrestlers at the club he started five years ago, The Teeth of the Dog Wrestling Club at North Shore High School.
No one is more deserving than Michael DerGarabedian of induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Friends of Long Island Wrestling 775 Wantagh Ave. Wantagh, NY 11783 Telephone 516 804 8676 info@foliw.com |
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NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS |
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12/6/11 - LIRFC AGM
Charles Ave Bar — 7:30 PM
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LIRFC Annual Awards Dinner
Details coming soon
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Michael Dergarabedian honored with selection to The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame.
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