Philip "Red" Fedele started wrestling in a very interesting manner. Red was a very good athlete and actually played basketball as a freshman but beginning his sophomore year at Madison High School in the Rochester City School system. The basketball coaches decided Red's playing days were limited (he was only 5 feet tall) and wrestling coach "Bozo" Snider asked Red to give wrestling a try: however, at first Red was not excited about the sport. Eventually he started to enjoy the sport and became the starter at the 95-pound weight class. In the 1950's the Rochester City Schools were the dominant league in most of the sports in the section. In his first year of wrestling Red was already excelling and was able to win the prestigious Rochester City League championships in 1954. This achievement qualified Red for the Section V tournament where he was a finalist. Red would go on to win two more city championships and two Section V championships as well. Fedele gives Coach John Spencer, another Hall of Famer, credit for his development as a wrestler. Additionally, he indicated that his Madison High team had a great group of guys who to this day still meet every month at his restaurant to reminisce about the "old days." Some of those teammates include Frank Marotta and Lou Fusilli. To advocate for the sport Red had provided a space on the walls of his restaurant to commemorate Section V wrestling and the Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame.

After high school Red secured a job working at Xerox and had a very successful career. However, after his retirement he decided to venture off to develop another business of his own. Thus, the Red Fedele's Brook House Restaurant was born. Red had no previous restaurant experience but he believed in himself and was determined to make a go of it. Red stated that the sport of wrestling helped him in his business in many ways. The life lessons of perseverance, never giving up, and having courage enabled him to establish a thriving business. This business has now become a family centered enterprise that a few generations of Fedeles work and love. Well into his 80's Red still plays a very active role in the business - he welcomes guests and makes his way around the restaurant chatting with the patrons to check to make sure everything is satisfactory.

Furthermore, Red has taken a very active role in his community giving back in many ways. In 1972 Red was the leader of the City of Rochester Narcotic and Guidance Council which reached out to individuals who needed help with addiction problems. Red is a "Paul Harris Fellow" which is the highest form of recognition a Rotary Club can bestow on a member. Accordingly, Mr. Fedele has been awarded the George Hixson Award from the local Kiwanis Club for his work with its Children's Fund. Red received the Youth Advocate of the Year Award, the Spirit of Chamber of Commerce Award which is presented to an individual who has volunteered and made business contributions to the betterment of their community. His annual Brook House golf tournament has generated a significant amount of money that goes out to families in need of assistance ... another example of his generosity and giving back motto that he represents. His family also has been the recognized with the Family of the Year Award for community service by the Greece Central School. It is easy to ascertain that Red and his family are advocates for their community and the children in it. Additionally, Red has received the Greece Business Man of the Year Award, Greece Beautification Award, the Citizen of the Year Award from the Civic League and numerous other awards. Consequently, he has been inducted in several area Hall of Fames ... including Section V Wrestling Hall of Fame, City-Catholic Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Italian Sports Hall of Fame of Rochester and was the recipient of the Terry Justice Award for his many contributions to wrestling in Section V.

His teammate and close friend Frank Marotta states, "Words cannot describe the impact this man has had on and continues to have on so many. He is truly an outstanding person and an Outstanding American." For these and many more

reasons the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame proudly award our Outstanding American Award to Philip "Red" Fedele.