Elia, Giltner gain entry into N.Y. chapter of National Wrestling Hall of Fame
EAST SYRACUSE – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame of the New York State Chapter would like to announce the eight new inductees into the Hall of Fame and this year’s winner of the Outstanding American Award. The Upstate New York Chapter is dedicated to the main goals of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame which are (1), recognizing excellence in wrestling in the Upstate New York area; (2), preserving the rich and colorful history of wrestling in New York; and (3), inspiring future generations of New Yorkers to participate in one of the oldest and best sports in the world.
Two Norwich teachers, Frank Giltner and Sam Elia, received posthumous selections, and will be honored Sept. 20, 2015 at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse.
Elia started coaching wrestling at Norwich 1946 and guided the team to a 9 – 1 record and a Section IV Championship. Then, for the next 19 years, Coach Elia enjoyed successful campaigns at the helm of the Purple Tornado. His teams were undefeated in 1953, 1955 and in 1956, and won or tied for eight Iroquois team championships. In addition, he was one of the few coaches to win sectional titles in both Section IV and Section III. During the 1940s and '50s Elia was a moving force in the development of wrestling in the Central New York area where he shared his vast knowledge of wrestling with anyone who had the desire to learn. Furthermore, he was a well-respected golf coach and later became the Director of Athletics at Norwich High School.
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