Art’s wrestling career began at Greene Central High in Greene, N.Y. At Greene Central, Art won the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Section 4 championship. After graduating in 1964, Art attended SUNY (State University of New York) Morrisville where he completed an undefeated season and won a NJCAA Region III tournament. 

Art transferred to Springfield College where he became their first two-time All-American wrestler, placing fifth and third at the NCAA Division II national championships in 1969 and 1970, respectively.

Art began his teaching career at East Lyme High School, where he started the wrestling program in 1972. In 1973, Art took a position at Montville High and guided his teams to three state championship titles in 1978 (Class M), 1979 (Class M) and 1988 (Class S) along with three Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) championships.

Montville’s success stemmed from Art’s philosophy, “In order to be the best, you have to wrestle the best.” Art’s teams always wrestled the stiffest competition possible. For many years, Art took his Montville team to update New York to wrestle tournaments.

During his coaching career, Art had the pleasure of coaching numerous conference and state champions. His greatest pleasure was coaching his son to a state championship. Art is equally as proud of all the wrestlers who may not have won titles. But because of wrestling, they went on to be very successful in life.

Art was named the Connecticut High School Coaches Association’s coach of the year in 1993 and was a two-time finalist for the National Coach of the Year. He retired at the conclusion of the 2000 season and finished with a career record of 268-196-3. He was twice named to “Who’s Who” in American Educators.