2007-2008 News

THE HISTORY OF ST. BENEDITCT’S WRESTLING CELEBRATED

April 15, 2008

Family. Tradition. Pride.

That was the universal theme when the past, present and everything in between came together to celebrate 60 years of St. Benedict’s wrestling last week at The Mezzanine.

“I’m back here with my family,” said Mike Caruso ’63, the most decorated wrestler in St. Benedict’s history.” The standards that were set and molded here are what we became later on.”

Caruso, who was a staggering 81-0 while donning a Gray Bees singlet, was the guest speaker at the dinner held at 744 Broad St., just down the hill and a couple blocks away from where most of those in attendance still feel the pull from their alma mater in Newark.

“Some people say they don’t get back here very much,” said Caruso, who went on to become, and still is, Lehigh’s only three-time NCAA champion.” But once you leave St. Benedict’s, you’re back here everyday in your heart. All my life, the lessons I learned here are an integral part of my daily rituals.”

The sentiments expressed by Caruso, a member of the National Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame, permeated the entire gathering of the nearly 200 that attended the anniversary celebration.

From St. Benedict’s first state champion, Gene D’Alessandro ’52, to its most recent, Patrick Hunter, St. Benedict’s holds a special place in the hearts of those who walked the hallowed halls.

“It’s exciting to see all the wonderful people who never forget where they come from,” said D’Alessandro ’52.” You may leave St. Benedict’s, but it never leaves you. That’s what everybody here believes and it’s that special bond that makes us one big family.”

That family bond was achieved through hard work and dedication. And the main architect - the man whose legacy built the St. Benedict’s foundation into what it is today - was John Allen ’54, the consummate disciplinarian.

For a decade, from 1955 through ’65, Allen produced eight national prep champions and 43 state titleholders. It would be his first stop in a career that spanned nearly five decades.

“John Allen was one of the greatest coaches in the history of New Jersey. He’s been a mentor to me,” said Mike DiPiano Sr. H ’82, the long-time athletic director, who built a legendary coaching career of his own while at the helm of the Gray Bees program for 20 years.

Allen, who, in 2001, received the Harry E. Lake Award by the state wrestling officials and coaches at the state tournament in the Meadowlands for his contributions to the sport, had a memorable run of 40 straight dual meet successes without a loss midway through his tenure at St. Benedict’s. But through it all, Allen remains humble and deflects all praise to his athletes.

“Your hard work and achievement blazed a trail and became an honorable inspiration for many of those who followed,” Allen said to those former wrestlers at the dinner.” So I congratulate you all for the part you played in bringing us to his point.”

Current coach, Mike DiPiano Jr., who, like Allen, was relatively young by coaching standards when he took over the reigns of the St. Benedict’s program, is as astute as anyone when it comes to knowing about the tradition and history of the Gray Bees program. Mike Jr. wrestled for his dad and was a two-time state Prep champ and twice was an All-American.

“St. Benedict’s is getting better with age,” said the 30-year-old DiPiano Jr. ’95, who, in his seven seasons, has coached 28 All-Americans.” We are still going strong and there is no slowing down in the future.”

NOTES: Caruso will be among those honored May 8 at the St. Benedict’s Dinner. Caruso, who is the founder and CEO of Caruso Benefits Group, Inc., will be bestowed the medal of St. Benedict’s at the annual dinner, which will be held at the school. DiPiano Sr. wanted to point out that the anniversary dinner for wrestling and similarly staged events here at St. Benedict’s couldn’t be possible without the behind-the-scenes and tireless efforts of Mary Hauck and Candace Bradsher.

— By Ron Jandoli