Bob Ferraro was a student-athlete at Indiana State from 1966 to 1970 and competed on the Sycamore wrestling team where he posted a career record of 93-4 which included 93 falls with only one loss during regular season competition in his three years of competition. He had an undefeated senior campaign when he went 16-0.
The team captain in 1969 and 1970, Ferraro was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American at Indiana State at 150 pounds as he finished fourth and second in the NCAA Championships in 1969 and 1970 respectively. He also won at 150 pounds in the East-West All-Star Meet his senior year.
Ferraro received the Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award as well as the Outstanding Leadership Award at Indiana State in 1970.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 1970, Ferraro remained at Indiana State to serve as a graduate assistant wrestling coach under the legendary Gary Simons. He earned his Master’s in 1972.
Ferraro continued his coaching career as the assistant wrestling coach and health education teacher at Neshaminy High School in Langhome, Penn., in 1972. He became the head wrestling coach and Director of Recreation at Bucknell University in 1973 and served in that capacity until 1997.
During his coaching career at Bucknell, Ferraro produced 44 ECC and ECWA champions as well as four NCAA All-Americans. He was voted ECWA Coach of the Year in 1986, 1987, and 1992. Ferraro was inducted into the District 11 and District 4 Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1992, respectively.
He founded the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA), THE National High School Senior Wrestling Championships, and the National Wrestling Coaches Convention in 1989. He served as the Executive Director of the NHSCA from 1997 until 2007 and presently serves as the Chief Executive Officer.
Ferraro was named the Man of the Year by USA Wrestling Magazine in 2006, received the WIN Magazine Impact Award in2009, and was selected to serve on the Creative Coalition Advisory Board in 2011. He currently holds two United States patents and is the inventor of the Air Brace knee pad.
-
Two-time All-American (1969, 1970)
-
Undefeated senior season (16-0 – 1970)
-
Team Captain (1969, 1970)
-
Founder of National High School Coaches Association (1989)
-
Inducted into Hall of Fame February 28, 2004
