Jim Rooney’s initiation into wrestling really began with his younger brother, Edwin, who was a high school champion at Mepham High School and an EIWA champion at Syracuse University. Jim began officiating wrestling after his return from serving in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. Upon returning to his home area of Bellmore, he joined the Long Island Wrestling Officials Association and began one of the longest tenures as a wrestling official in the United States.

He has had the opportunity to officiate wrestling at every level with an emphasis at the junior and senior high schools on Long Island. During his tenure he has been an official in numerous county championships. In addition to working as a wrestling referee, he has also spent numerous hours working the scoring tables at Tournaments and dual matches. Jim has been a timekeeper and scorer at every major tournament in the area. Jim Rooney is a past president of the Long Island Wrestling Officials Association, where he had the responsibility of working with NY State BOCES in the assignment of officiating matches and has always been willing to fill in when other officials were unable to make a dual match or tournament. Members of the Long Island Wrestling Officials Association have been very vocal in commending Jim for his volunteerism in all wrestling matters. In addition, he has spent a great deal of time assisting the Friends of Long Island Wrestling in their various activities.

Anyone who knows the “Roon”, knows he is generous with his 52 years of experience in the ranks. Those morning phone calls, impromptu visits, or drives exploring Long Island are peppered with advice and stories from his long career in wrestling. His son, James F. Rooney Jr., is currently a varsity official moving up the ranks.

 You can’t have a 52-year career in wrestling without a supportive family. Jim is married to Cecilia and has six children, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Now that he is retired from officiating, he finally found time to attend the 2014 NCAA Wrestling Championships, and watched Penn State win its fourth title in a row, sixty years after he watched them win their first title in 1953.

Among his many duties included: Past President of the LIOA Chief instructor for incoming officials provided fledging officials an opportunity to prepare for passing their officiating test and becoming certified. Jim also had the opportunity to officiate wrestling at the elementary school, high school, and varsity levels. He is proud that he has working with Hall of Fame officials such as Mark Piven, and many other great Long Island wrestling officials. He has been consistently available as a volunteer as well as an official. Assisting the Friends of Long Island Wrestling in numerous activities, and in his over 50+ years, he has spent untold hours working at the scoring tables at dual meets and various tournaments. His experiences include refereeing individual bouts, serving as timekeeper and scorer in Nassau County champs and countless offseason wrestling tournaments. Jim has made it a policy to be available whenever needed and has been a loyal servant proponent in the Long Island wrestling community.