Robert Bury began his wrestling career at Mepham High School in 1945 under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Sprig Gardner and won the Long Island championship three years.

Utilizing a wrestling scholarship, Bob then held an outstanding record at Syracuse University. He was a place winner in the National AAU Championships and wrestled for the United States Army as well.

With this distinguished background, Bob Bury the wrestler became Bob Bury the coach in 1958.

He began his coaching career in the same district he began his wrestling career, at the newly opened Calhoun High School. Bob also coached the football, soccer, track, gymnastics and rifle teams and inspired some of these athletes to become champions. His true love for wrestling led him to coach for 23 years.

The outstanding achievements of his teams and individual wrestlers are unquestionable.

Coach Bury’s teams had an overall record of 200-77-6 with 61 division champions, 23 county champions, and eight state champions.

Many of his wrestlers earned scholarships and went on to wrestle in college, including NCAA champions Tom Schlendorf and John Walter. Several of his wrestlers followed in Bob’s footsteps and became coaches.

Bob’s love for wrestling continues today. Currently he practices with the Bellmore-Merrick teams and serves as the director for the Sprig Gardner and Nassau County tournaments.

Coach Bob Bury has dedicated more than 50 years to the sport of wrestling and he is admired for his knowledge, skill, and devotion to wrestling.

It is because of this dedication that the Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame presents the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award to Robert Bury.