Patrick Augustine started his lifelong participation in wrestling at Geneva High School in New York where he was team captain for two years.

After joining the Marine Corps, he continued to compete against some of the country’s best.

Returning to school, he enjoyed an outstanding college career at SUNY Genesee where he was team captain as well as part-time wrestling coach.

After graduation, he taught and coached at Canandaigua (New York) High School for several years, enjoying an undefeated season as well as a number of sectional, league, and county championships.

In 1959, Pat moved to Long Island where he turned to officiating.

Over a 30-year period, and as a member of the prestigious Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association, he referred many high school, college, and open meets as well as championships. During this period, he was recognized as an outstanding mat official.

Then came the biggest challenge of Pat Augustine’s life, when disaster struck in 2001 and his world fell apart.

Pat was diagnosed with aggressive bladder cancer that had penetrated the muscular wall of his bladder. At Sloan Kettering, the doctors decided to remove his bladder. On September 13th, just two days after the Twin Towers Tragedy, Pat lay on the operating table for more than eight hours.

Shortly after returning home to recuperate, he was diagnosed with a major pancreas problem. Back in the hospital for another 12 days of intensive care, he dropped from 178 pounds to 132 pounds of skin and bones.

Another setback developed when a large blood clot was discovered in his left leg, which contributed to kidney failure. That meant back to the hospital for major kidney surgery and months of treatment with tubes, drains, medications, and chemo.

However, throughout this terrifying ordeal, Pat never gave up.

He held on and fought with all the courage and determination he had developed on the mats as a boy and as a man. While others around him were throwing in the towel, Pat became an inspiration to all who came into contact with him. Doctors, nurses, and other cancer patients marveled at his attitude and spirit.

Today Pat is a cancer survivor and lives his life to the fullest.

Presently, he serves as Governor George Pataski’s appointee to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as well as New York State’s representative to the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.

In his spare time, he serves as executive director of the New York Sport Fishing Federation.

In addition, Pat is still actively supporting wrestling. He is a member of the Friends of Long Island Wrestling and participates in every event and activity that promotes our great sport.

The Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to present Patrick Augustine with the Medal of Courage.