In his early years of wrestling Terry Phelan enjoyed a successful high school career at Wantagh High School. A two-time conference champ (67-68), Terry went on to capture the 1968 Nassau County Title earning the most outstanding wrestler award. He finished that year as a New York State runner-up and the Warriors of Wantagh captured the state title. Phelan continued to produce at the college level. While at Farmingdale he captured Region 15 Junior College Championship and was a SUNY champion at Brockport.

After college, Terry began his coaching career working with Cliff Hinze at Smithtown West (75-77), later moving on to Smithtown East (77-80) under the tutelage of fellow Hall of Fame inductee Don Jackson. From 1981 through 1986 Terry assisted Dan Nolan at William Floyd before taking the helm in 1987. During his tenure he has recorded 131 wins, produced 48 league champs, 59 county place finishers, 11 county champs, 9 NYS place finishers, 3 state champions, 2 High school All-Americans. Eight of his wrestlers went on to wrestle for Division I colleges. He has 2 college All-American (Division III) and a National Junior College Champion to his credit.

Phelan's teams captured two league titles and placed in the top ten 7 times at the Doc Fallot Memorial Tournament before capturing the title in 2002. In 1999 he guided the Colonials to a 4th place finish in NYS. 2002 also saw Phelan as League, County and Long Island coach of the year as William Floyd finished # 1 ranked team on Long Island.

In 1982, Terry Phelan had the foresight to start a kid wrestling program at William Floyd. For 27 years he has coached over 3000 kids and instilled in them that the effort to get to the top is the reward. His influence has helped many of his wrestlers go on to find success; and more to give back to the sport he loves through coaching or officiating.

Terry Phelan's numerous accomplishments and contributions for over 45 years in both Nassau and Suffolk County make him a worthy candidate for induction into The National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a lifetime contributor.