Joe Catalanotto - Head Coach
Joe Catalanotto took over as the head coach at Massapequa in 2006. Prior to 2006, Coach Catalanotto had been the Junior High coach for seven years and an assistant with both the Varsity and Junior Varsity programs at Massapequa. Coach Catalanotto wrestled for East Meadow High School where he was a Nassau County Champion, placed third in the New York State Tournament and amassed 98 wins during his career. After high school he attended Central Connecticut State for two years where he placed fifth at the East Coast Wrestling Association Championships in 1996. When Central Connecticut dropped its wrestling program he transferred to Hofstra where he went on to take first place at the ECWA Tournament, fourth place in the New York State Collegiate Championships and qualified for a trip to the NCAA Championships in 1997.

Ronald Serrano
Wrestled for & Graduated MacArthur HS in 1998. NYS 4th Place.
Wrestled for & Graduated Suny Cortland.

Kevin Shippos
Wrestled for & Graduated Baldwin HS. NYS Champion, NHSCA Senior Nationals AA.
Wrestled for & Graduated Penn State University.

Mike Labella
Wrestled for & Graduated MHS in 2003. 2X Nassau County (Section 8) Finalist. NYS Champion 2003.
Wrestled for & Graduated Edinboro University.

Mike Viola
Wrestled for & Graduated from Smithtown HS. Helped Smithtown win Suffolk County (Section 11) Class A Championship.
Wrestled for & Graduated from Suny Cortland.

Massapequa wrestling is a program rich with history and tradition that dates back to the 1950’s. The Massapequa Wrestling program, comprised of all freshmen, began in 1952 under the leadership of Coach Len Connor.

In 1955, Bill Devaux took over as the head coach and managed the program through 1957, which included the first graduating class in 1956. John Haas officially took over as the head coach in 1958 and continued until 1962. Coach Haas developed a style and philosophy that became the building block of the program.

In 1963, former wrestler Al Bevilacqua took over as the head coach. Wrestling grew and flourished at Massapequa under the leadership and program development of Coach Bevilacqua.

Years later, another former wrestler, Gary Mims would become an assistant coach and help Coach Bevilacqua turn Massapequa into a wrestling powerhouse. Mims would go on to become the head coach in 1978 and guide the program through 28 successful years up until his retirement in 2006.

In 2006, Joe Catalanotto took over as head coach at Massapequa. Prior to 2006, Coach Catalanotto had been the Junior High coach for seven years and an assistant with both the Varsity and Junior Varsity programs at Massapequa. Coach Catalanotto wrestled for East Meadow High School where he was a Nassau County Champion, placed third in the New York State Tournament and amassed 98 wins during his career. After high school he attended Central Connecticut State for two years where he placed fifth at the East Coast Wrestling Association Championships in 1996. When Central Connecticut dropped its wrestling program he transferred to Hofstra where he went on to take first place at the ECWA Tournament, fourth place in the New York State Collegiate Championships and qualified for a trip to the NCAA Championships in 1997.

To find out more about the history of Massapequa's coaching click on the "History" Tab or go to the "Bulletin Board" and click on the Drop Down Tab for "Special Recognition".

Massapequa High School Educator 1961 - 1994
Massapequa High School Head Coach 1963 – 1977
USA Wrestling Eastern Development Director 1972 - 1979
USA Wrestling Board of Directors 1972 - 1986
USA Wrestling New York State Chairperson 1973 – 1979
Hofstra University Coach1977 – 1979
US Wrestling Federation Vice President 1978 - 1980
US Wrestling Federation Assistant Director 1979 – 1981
US Wrestling Federation Special Service Award 1981
USA Wrestling National Coach 1983 – 1991
FILA World Cup 1983
FILA Junior World Championships Head Coach 1983
USA Wrestling Coach of the Year 1983
FILA Espoir World Cup Head Coach 1984
FILA Coaches Commission 1985 – 1991
Tbilisi Games Team Leader 1985
Tbilisi Championships Head Coach 1986, 1987, 1988
New York State Wrestling Hall of Fame 1987
USOC Finalist Freestyle Head Coach Olympic games 1988
Metropolitan Wrestling Association Man of the Year 1990
Cerro-Pelado Championships Head Coach 1991
New York University Sports Hall of Fame 1992
Massapequa High School Hall of Fame 1996
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award 1996
National High School Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Director 1996 - 1999
FILA President Pin World Championships Madison Square Garden 2003
Co-Founder Beat the Streets Wrestling Program 2004
USA Wrestling Man of the Year 2005
WIN Magazine Impact Award Winner 2005
Wrestling USA Magazine Man of the Year 2006
Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Director 2006 - 2010
Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Honorary Director 2010
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Order of Merit 2012

Massapequa High School Educator 1974 - 1998
Massapequa High School Assistant Coach 1969 - 1977
Massapequa High School Head Coach 1977 - 2006
3X Section 8 Coach of the Year 1991, 1997 & 1999
7X Section 8 Tournament Team Champions
6X Section 8 Dual Meeet Champions
1998 New York State Dual Meet Champions
27X Section 8 Qualifying Tournament Champions
3 Individual NYS Champions
23 Individual NYS Place Winner Titles
31 Individual Section 8 Champion Titles
189 Individual Section 8 Place Winner Titles
4X New York State Scholar Athlete Team Championships
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award 2007
Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Vice President and Director 2006 -