The Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to fostering the sport of wrestling in Massapequa, is pleased to announce Massapequa School District's decision to name the high school wrestling room after former legendary coach, educator and mentor Al Bevilacqua. Bevilacqua served as an educator with the Massapequa Public Schools from 1961 to 1994. He began coaching at Massapequa as an assistant and later assumed the Head coaching position in 1963. Bevilacqua continued as the Head coach until 1977 when assistant Gary Mims took over the program. As time permitted him over the years, he continued as a volunteer assistant to his close friend Mims. Bevilacqua's dedication, commitment and contribution to the Massapequa community and its young men and women has spanned more than 50 years.

In connection with the naming of the wrestling room in honor of Coach Bevilacqua, the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling have pledged to pay for the renovation of the High School's Wrestling room. In addition to honoring Coach Al Bevilacqua, the renovated wrestling room walls will tell the history of wrestling in Massapequa. The names of State and County champions and place winners as well as the winners of other individual honors from both Massapequa High School and Berner High School, as well as team honors will be on the walls above the mats.  In order to achieve this goal, the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling is reaching out to all Massapequa and Berner alumni whose lives were touched by Coach Bevilacqua or the wrestling program. The initial estimate for the renovation is in excess of $50,000. To make a tax deductible contribution please make your check payable to the 'Friends of Massapequa Wrestling Inc.' and mail it to Post Office Box 61, Massapequa, New York 11758. All contributions will be greatly appreciated.

Al Bevilacqua -
Massapequa High School Educator 1961 - 1994
Massapequa High School Head Coach 1963 - 1977
USA Wrestling Eastern Development Director 1972 - 1979
USA Wrestling Board of Directors 1972 - 1986
USA Wrestling New York State Chairperson 1973 - 1979
Hofstra University Coach1977 - 1979
US Wrestling Federation Vice President 1978 - 1980
US Wrestling Federation Assistant Director 1979 - 1981
US Wrestling Federation Special Service Award 1981
USA Wrestling National Coach 1983 - 1991
FILA World Cup 1983
FILA Junior World Championships Head Coach 1983
USA Wrestling Coach of the Year 1983
FILA Espoir World Cup Head Coach 1984
FILA Coaches Commission 1985 - 1991
Tbilisi Games Team Leader 1985
Tbilisi Championships Head Coach 1986, 1987, 1988
New York State Wrestling Hall of Fame 1987
USOC Finalist Freestyle Head Coach Olympic games 1988
Metropolitan Wrestling Association Man of the Year 1990
Cerro-Pelado Championships Head Coach 1991
New York University Sports Hall of Fame 1992
Massapequa High School Hall of Fame 1996
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award 1996
National High School Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Director 1996 - 1999
FILA President Pin World Championships Madison Square Garden 2003
Co-Founder Beat the Streets Wrestling Program 2004
USA Wrestling Man of the Year 2005
WIN Magazine Impact Award Winner 2005
Wrestling USA Magazine Man of the Year 2006
Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, Director 2004 - 2010
Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, Honorary Director 2010
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Order of Merit 2012