Connecticut Chapter

Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Welcome to the home of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Connecticut chapter is a direct extension of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Chapter and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

The Connecticut chapter provides outreach and support for the National Hall. Our chapter was formed in 2002 to honor committed coaches, officials, contributors and other deserving individuals from Connecticut. Our first induction banquet was in 2003 with additional banquets in 2004 and 2005. The chapter was restarted in 2009 by current president Ted Oczkowski and we have hosted six induction banquets (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025).

Connecticut Chapter Honorees

Latest Connecticut Chapter Inductees

Ted Oczkowski

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

David D'Alessio

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Gerry deSimas

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Fritz Blasius

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

David Green

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Shirzad Ahmadi

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Ray Southland

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Drew Black

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Chris Piel

Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling

Latest High School Excellence Award Winners

John Carrozza

Year: 2026
Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award

Jillian Blake

Year: 2026
Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award

Nominations

Lifetime Service To Wrestling

Given in recognition of years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in the youth through the sport of wrestling.

Outstanding American

Given to former wrestlers who are highly successful and use the disciplines learned in wrestling in their profession.

Medal of Courage

Is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges.

Connecticut Chapter Board

Ted Oczkowski, President
Email: ctcoy2002@yahoo.com

Nick Grosso, Vice President
Email: raiders818075@yahoo.com

Mark Cammisa, Treasurer
Email: markcammisa@comcast.net

Gerry deSimas, Jr., Secretary
Email: ctwrestling7@yahoo.com

Rafael Calixto, Director
Email: rafael.calixto@cttech.org

Mike Cunningham, Director
Email: Mcunningham@xavierhighschool.org

Dr. Erich Doubek, Director
Email: docdoubek@gmail.com

Paul Musso, Director
Email: pjmusso@yahoo.com

Ernie Goodwin, Director
Email: egoodwin9@cox.net

Sarah Jadach, Director
Email: sarahjadach23@gmail.com

David Thompson, Director
Email: dt1483@yahoo.com

Connecticut Chapter Inductions

Next banquet: April 2028, site TBA

Connecticut State Chapter Facebook page

Connecticut Wrestling Online (Latest CT wrestling news and information)

Connecticut Chapter News

Latest Connecticut Chapter News

Connecticut Chapter Inducts Nine

The Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted nine new members in front of a record crowd at the Mohegan Sun on April 26.

Two Connecticut Girls Teams Meet in Dual Meet

Two Connecticut girls wrestling teams from Meriden meet in historic dual meet

Connecticut wrestler won gold in Paris in 1924

Connecticut's John Spellman was one of four Americans to win a gold medal in freestyle at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.

Nine to be inducted into Connecticut Chapter in 2025

Nine outstanding individuals from Connecticut's wrestling community will be inducted into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in April 2025.

Another State Open championship for Xavier

With five finalists and three individual champions, Xavier scores a tournament-record 243½ points to win the State Open title

Youth tournament named in honor of Joe Kapacziewski

Youth tournament renamed in honor of the late Joseph Kapcziewski, who was honored by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013

Next CT Chapter banquet will be in April 2025 at Mohegan Sun

Save the date. The next induction banquet by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will be April 26, 2025

Donald Knauf: A legacy of service in multiple states

Donald Knauf has taught wrestling to youngsters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Florida in his coaching career that spans six decades.

Our Mission: Preserve wrestling history, recognize extraordinary achievement and inspire greatness

Our Vision: Be the definitive steward and champion of wrestling history and achievement

Our Values: Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration and Service