Joseph Nisivoccia

Joe Nisivoccia's tenure as Belleville High School wrestling coach lasted through four decades. As an assistant coach, Joe served under Gene D'Allesandro (HOF, 2008) for 8 years, prior to his 34 years as head coach. After retiring from Belleville School District, Joe and his brother Gerry (HOF-2013) coached at Metuchen High School for two seasons. Joe's teams at Belleville won four Essex County Championships and runners up 6 times. His Belleville teams secured nine District Titles, and were runners up 10 times. Belleville finished in the NJWCA poll top 20 teams 8 times, and had a wrestler in the finals of the State Tournament 11 straight years. Coach Nis (known to his wrestlers), also coached over 50 County Champions, 112 District Champions, 37 Region IV Champions, 22 State place winners, and 6 State Champions. He also had 28 wrestlers who were voted"Outstanding Wrestlers"from various Tournaments. Dr. Nisivoccia won numerous "Coach of the Year" honors on the County, District, and Region levels. His career record of 407 victories places him at number 11 on the all time victory list. Joe was also an official serving as a member of the NJWOA for over 40 years. As a wrestler, Joe was a state runner-up in 1971, and a State Champion in 1972. After competing for two years for John Sacchi (HOF, 2007) at Middlesex County College, Joe was elected Captain at Rutgers University placing 6th in the EIWA Tournament 1975. When asked what he was most proud of in this impressive resume, he replied that over 40 of his wrestlers either joined our military, fire departments, or became local and police officer's and State Troopers, which he felt was a direct influence thru the discipline learned in wrestling. Congratulations to Dr. Joseph Nisivoccia and the entire Nisivoccia family for his induction into the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Class of 2018.

Awards:

Year
2018
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
New Jersey

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