Dave Warren has dedicated his life to the sport of wrestling. He began his career at Sayville High School. Dave then served his country in the Army until he was honorably discharged after breaking both legs during a helicopter training exercise. Dave then continued at SUNY Cortland where his wrestling career was also cut short due to injury.

Following college, wrestling remained a passion of Dave’s and he decided to throw himself into officiating. He traded in his singlet for a whistle in 1979 close to home in Section Eight where he presided over some of the most competitive dual meets and matches in the 1980’s and 90’s. Soon after, he began transitioning to Westchester/Putnam and Rockland Counties where he continues his more than 32 years of service.

During his 45-year career, he has officiated countless sectional and state qualifying tournaments. He is continuously ranked number one in the Section One Coaches’ Ratings and has been selected to work the New York State Individual Tournament eight times, finishing as the number one ranked official at that tournament on multiple occasions. In

addition, Dave also has worked at many private and Catholic school tournaments, from which he was also selected to officiate the National Prep Tournament and Catholic States numerous times.

Throughout his distinguished career as an official, Dave has served in many roles in the wrestling world. For the past twenty years he has been and remains the Rockland County Rules Interpreter. He previously held this role in Westchester/Putnam County. Also, Dave was a Physical Education Teacher in the Mamaroneck School District for 38 years

where he coached many sports including wrestling. Additionally, Dave was elected to the New York State Wrestling Officials Association Executive Committee, where he served as Vice President in 1998, President in 2000, and Past President in 2002.

Most importantly, Dave displays his passion for the sport in his commitment towards developing younger officials. Dave has mentored and tutored a multitude of officials not only in Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Nassau Counties, but throughout New York State...setting the bar high and elevating the standard and quality of refereeing. He currently runs the candidate school in Rockland County, and has also taught candidate classes in Westchester/Putnam and Nassau Counties. As a testament to his mentoring abilities, many of the officials Dave has mentored have gone on to be selected to work the New York State Tournament.

In April of 2023, to Dave’s surprise, he was inducted into the Section One Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was extremely honored and humbled by his nomination, as well as grateful and thankful for this accomplishment.