Three Massachusetts Maritime Hall Of Famers To Be Inducted Into New England Wrestling Hall Of Fame February 21st
Buzzards Bay, Mass. -- Three members of the Massachusetts Maritime Athletic Hall of Fame who brought both regional and national recognition to the Academy in the late 1970's through their efforts with the Buccaneer wrestling program will be honored for those accomplishments once again later this month.
Former All-America standouts Leon Dunnam '77 and Mike Tobin '79, along with former Massachusetts Maritime Head Coach Peter Hexter, will be enshrined in the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame in ceremonies that will take place on Sunday, February 21st as part of the 2010 New England Intercollegiate Wrestling Championships on the campus of Western New England College in Springfield, Mass.
Dunnam competed at two weight levels during his career, becoming the third New England wrestler to surpass the 100-career victory plateau, as he won 120 career matches for the Buccaneers from 1973 through 1977. After wrestling in the 167 lb. weight class as a freshman, Dunnam moved up to the 190 lb. class and became Massachusetts Maritime's first All-America in the sport, remaining at that weight class for the rest of his career. Dunnam earned three All-America and three all-New England honors during his career and was part of the Academy's inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame induction class in 2000.
Tobin captured three New England titles during his career from 1975 through 1979, including the 118 lb. weight class as a freshman, the 126 lb. class as a junior and the 134 lb. crown during a senior campaign that also saw him earn All-America accolades and compete at the NCAA Championships. Tobin was inducted into the Massachusetts Maritime Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
Hexter played an instrumental role in the growth and development of the NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program at the Academy, as he served as Massachusetts Maritime's head coach from 1973 through 1979 and guided the Buccaneers to a second place finish at the New England Championships in 1976 as well as three third place performances in 1975, 1977 and 1979. Hexter coached 11 all-New England performers and three All-Americas during his tenure, and he also served as an assistant on fellow Hall of Famer Don Ruggeri's football staff. Hexter was inducted into the Massachusetts Maritime Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
For more information on the 2010 New England Intercollegiate Wrestling Championships, log-on to www.wnecgoldenbears.com.
