Dick Bonacci was one of the founding members of the Cleveland State Athletics family and he dedicated 36 years to the wrestling program.

Bonacci arrived at Fenn College in 1962, reviving a wrestling program that had been dormant for almost 30 years. Through his hard work and determination, he guided the team through the transformation to the Cleveland State Vikings in year four.

In his time at Cleveland State, Bonacci posted a record of 296-177-9, with 25 winning seasons, including 17 consecutive winning campaigns from 1964-81. Included in those wins is one of which Bonacci is especially proud, a 29-17 upset of No. 7 Oklahoma in 1978. He helped secure 92 individual NCAA Championship berths including 10 All-Americans.

Bonacci got his start at West High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he never lost a match, posting a perfect 60-0 record while catching three Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships. In 1951, his team was crowned national champions.

Bonnaci went on to wrestle at the University of Toledo, winning three Mid-American Conference championships and guiding the team to two conference championships. In his last two seasons, he also was captain of the UT team and served as an interim head coach in 1956 after completing his wrestling career. After he completed his wrestling eligibility, he went out for football at UT, becoming a regular inside linebacker for the Rockets.

In 1953, he placed second at the National Greco-Roman Championships and fourth at the National AAU Championships.