Jerry Harrell started his wrestling career at Mepham High School, under the legendary Sprig Gardener. He was a mainstay for three years on one of the Mepham’s great teams and highlighted his career by winning the Long Island championship as a senior.

At Gettysburg College, he played football and wrestled, winning the 165-pound title at the Middle Atlantic Wrestling Championships. Upon graduation, Jerry served three years in the Army Transportation Corps, stationed in France.

In 1960, he was hired to teach and start a wrestling program at the brand new Udall Junior High School in West Islip, New York.

At the same time Jerry became an active mat official, working meets and tournaments in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

In 1962, Pete Damone asked Jerry to coach the newly formed Hofstra College freshman wrestling team. This gave him an opportunity to work with a number of talented young men, including Sam Boone, Tony Mellino, Rich Cestaro, and Tom Ricolo.

In 1964, Jerry accepted a teaching/coaching position in the Port Jefferson School District where he was asked to develop a wrestling program.

Two years later, he received a call to start another new program. This time, it came from St. Anthony’s in Smithtown, New York. It was there that Jerry settled in for a long stay. It took time, a great deal of patience and hard work, but the results were well worth the effort.

Starting from “scratch,” Jerry was able to build a program that produced 25 Catholic School state champions, 54 Catholic High School Athletic Association state place-winners, 41 Catholic League champions, 74 league place-winners, and two Catholic School League state championship teams.

Today, as the result of Jerry Harrell’s determination and coaching skills, St. Anthony’s wrestling team continues to enjoy great success.