In 1963, Robert Attonito saw his first wrestling match as a freshman at Indiana State University.

He was so inspired that he signed up for a wrestling class, won three intramural wrestling championships, and was hooked for life.

He managed the wrestling team at ISU in 1964 because of a torn Achilles tendon incurred playing football, which ended his season.

Coach Chuck Sanders let Bob manage and workout with the varsity team. This presented a huge challenge for him because he had to wrestle from his knees until the cast came off. These were the most intense workouts, which made him stronger physically and mentally. Bob returned to the football field in 1965-66 and continued to manage and workout with the wrestling team.

Two weeks before the Indiana State Invitational, Bob received permission from Coach Sanders to wrestle in the tournament. He was probably the first team manager to ever compete in the tournament, let alone finish first. He returned to the mat in 1966-67, finishing with a 16-8 record, and the following season went 27-7 with a second-place finish in the Indiana State Invitational and a conference championship.

After college, Bob remained involved with wrestling at Martinsville High School in Indiana. From 1968-71, he led his teams to a 23-7 record with six sectional champions.

He returned to New York City in 1972 and continued to teach and coach multiple sports, including leading the wrestling team at Beach Channel High School to a 22-8 record from 1977 to 1980.

Bob's interest turned to officiating where he worked from 1977 to 2015, beginning in Nassau County and continuing in NYC. He officiated the Nassau County Championships four times along with 23 qualifiers. As an NYC official, he worked 32 state qualifiers, 25 private school state championships, 23 Ivy League championships, and 15 catholic state championships/qualifiers.

He became president and interpreter for the New York City Wrestling Officials Association in 1988 and received the organization's Distinguished Service award in 2015.

Bob was president of the New York State Wrestling Officials Association from 2008 to 2010 and he received the organization's Distinguished Service award in 2013.

To date under his presidency, the NYCWOA has produced six New York State Championships officials, who collectively have worked 23 state wrestling championships.

Beyond mutual respect for all, Bob has always emphasized dignity in the officials association and has cultivated a very strong mentoring program for younger officials. To this end, the officiating in New York City has improved, as has the coaching and wrestling in the city.