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Coaching Staff
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Massapequa High School Coaching Staff
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.
Vinny D'Agostino
Wrestled for & Graduated MHS in 1999. 3X Nassau County (Section 8) Finalist. NYS Runner-up 1999.
Mike Labella
Wrestled for & Graduated MHS in 2003. 2X Nassau County (Section 8) Finalist. NYS Champion 2003.
Wrestled for & Graduated Edinboro University.
Mike Viola
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Coach Catalanotto
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Coach Serrano making sure the mats are clean.
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Shane, Coach Catalanotto & Mike at the 2008 Section 8 Championships held at Hofstra's Mack Arena.
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Coaching Staff history
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 Deveaux took over as the head coach and managed the program through 1957, which included the first graduating class in 1956. John Hass officially took over as the head coach in 1958 and continued until 1962. Coach Hass 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".
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Coach Bevilacqua
Massapequa High School Coach
Hofstra University Coach
USA Wrestling National Coach
Junior World Team Coach
World Team Coach
Tbilisi Games Coach
New York State Chairperson for USA Wrestling
Asst. Director - National High School Wrestling Coaches Association
USA Wrestling Eastern Development Director
USA Wrestling Board of Directors
USA Wrestling Coach of the Year
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
US Wrestling Federation Vice President
US Wrestling Federation Special Service Award
Metropolitan Wrestling Association Man of the Year
Wrestling USA Magazine Man of the Year
Founder of New York City Beat the Streets
National Wrestling Hall of Fame
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Gary Mims
Massapequa High School Assistant Coach 1969 - 1978
Massapequa High School Head Coach 1978 - 2006
9X Section 8 Tournament Team Championships
1998 NYS Dual Meet Champions
#3 Individual NYS Champions
#22 Individual NYS Place Winner Titles
#30 Individual Section 8 (Nassau County) Champion Titles
#189 Individual Section 8 (All County) Wrestling Titles
Coached New York State Scholar Athlete Team for 3 consecutive years with a combined student athlete average of over 98% for each year.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame
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