We wrestle

 Hall Of Fame

Don Snyder

Don Snyder is a most deserving recipient of the Lifetime of Service to Wrestling designation. He is considered to be a leader among men, not only in wrestling, but also in his many endeavors. He enjoys the reputation of a man who can blend competence, compassion, sensitivity, and integrity in all that he does.

Beginning his wrestling career as an undergraduate at Springfield College, Don became head coach at Farmingdale High in 1952. In his first year he posted an 8-1 record and took 5th place in the Suffolk county Tournament. From 1953-54 Don continued posting outstanding win-loss records and always finished high in conference standings. This all occurred at a time when Long Island wrestling was dominated by powerful South Short teams such as Mepham, Valley Stream Central, Baldwin, and Amityville. In 1966 Don was instrumental in creating the North Shore Sectional Tournament. From 1966-69 his teams dominated the N.S. Sections, finishing first 4 times and second once. 

As the Athletic Director and an outstanding football and wrestling coach at Farmingdale High School, Don eventually became involve in athletic administration at the county and state levels. Then as wrestling coordinator for Nassau County, Don's voice and leadership and  compromise lent reason and stability to the sport.

Don worked well with those involved with wrestling through New York State, which became a tremendous asset for the coaches in Nassau County. While service as the Section Eight chairman on the New York State rules committee, he had a great deal of input towards the organization of the new York State Wrestling Tournament. He also served on the New York State High Schools' athletic committees including Ethics and Eligibility committees and still continues to attend State Wrestling Committee meetings. Farmingdale superintendent of schools, Dr. Frank Soracino writes, "In all my years as an educator Don Snyder ranks in the top echelon of people who I would have in a instructional capacity with my children."

Don Snyder is the Fire commissioner in the town of Wantagh, NY where he served for 40 years and is considered legendary. he is an ordained Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Levitown, NY where he has been of service for over 50 years.

Don attends the new York State Wrestling Tournament yearly and is an active member of the Friends of Long Island Wrestling, and the Long Island  chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. For the last few years he has been called upon to offer the invocation at its annual Hall of Fame Dinner.

In short, don has been actively involved in wrestling from 1948 to the present! He has been a superb role model for many years and is truly worthy of this honor.

Irv Apgar

Irv Apgar attended high school in a rural New Jersey town that at that time, did not even have a wrestling program. He became interested in the sport of wrestling while attending Springfield College in Massachusetts. Irv returned to his high school while in college to help establish a wrestling program. While at Springfield College, he wrestled for the junior varsity teams and in his senior year assisted in coaching high school tears Coach w Angar

Following graduation, he moved to Long island to teach physical education and coach junior high wrestling in the Farmingdale School District. His first two teams had a record of 17-1 During this time, he met the famous Sprig Gardner and attended coach Gardner's Gettysburg wrestling Clinics. For many summers he took carloads of Farmingdale wrestlers with him to attend the clinics. Irv also spent a lot of time with coach Gardner at his summer home to continue to learn more about his philosophy of wrestling instruction

In 1965 Coach Apgar became the varsity wrestling coach at Farmingdale High School His first varsity team won 10 matches. His 1966 team went 13-0 and won the North Shore championship. During his tenure his teams produced 31 Nassau County champions and 37 North Shore champions. His team placed in the top four in Nassau County 10 times, winning the county championship in 1971-72. His team was the first from the North Shore to accomplish this feat. His teams produced 11 League Championships and numerous invitational and holiday tournaments, resulting in a total of 314 wins. He had state place winners in the 1960s, 1970S, 1980's, and 1990%. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year in 1970. Several of his wrestlers went on to college to have successful careers and lead productive lives which many attribute to wrestling and Coach Apgar

In March of 1978, a Russian magazine featured an article about Coach Apgar, discussing what it takes to produce a top-notch wrestling program. The article focused on Irv's techniques in training and handling wrestlers, as well as the rapport that exists between a coach and his wrestlers. Coach Apgar spent his summers conducting the Lutheran High School summer wrestling clinics He built the wrestling program from 15 wrestlers to over 80 each summer. He conducted clinics throughout the year for new coaches and anyone who was interested in learning more about the sort of wrestling. His wrestling room was always open to anyone interested in learning He developed a youth wrestling program for Farmindale elementary students. That program is still in place today and is coached by many of his former wrestlers with over 80 students attending each year. Coach Apgar assisted in developing the seeding plan for the North Shore and the current plan used for the Section 8 tournaments.

In June of 1997 Irv was honored by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the students he has worked with Coach Apgar taught physical education for 37 years, and he was the varsity wrestling coach at Farmingdale High School for 3 years. He was also the assistant varsity football coach and defensive football coordinator at Farmingdale for 35 years, winning many state, county, and divisional titles One of the many highlights was an undefeated and unscored upon season in 1978.

Irv retired from the Farmingdale School District in 1998. Currently he volunteers at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, works for the Plainvew-Old Bethpage School District Athletic Department and enjoys fishing and traveling

In January 2002, the Farmingdale School District dedicated the high school wrestling room to Coach Apgar. Former wrestlers Bill Barrett, Tom Buckman, and Bill Hewitt. For Springfield College organized the affair, which included a dedication ceremony, the presentation of a magnificent showcase for the school, and a bronze sculpture of Coach Apgar.

Coach Apgar's wife Diane is a former elementary teacher in the Farmingdale Public Schools. She retired in 2002. They have two children--Scott and Amy Scott is a physical therapist at Plainview Physical Therapy, Amy is a special education teacher in the Kings Park Public Schools. Coach Apgar attributes his success to the support, encouragement, and understanding he received from his family and to Sprig Gardner and his wrestling techniques.

Joseph Patrovich

Few Long Island coaches have spent more time in the epicenter of success than Joe Patrovich. Beginning his wrestling career in 1970 at Farmingdale High School, le competed on the mat for three years, finishing his career a Section VIII Champion After college at C.W. Post and a football career cut short by a serious knee injury, his coaching debut began as a two year stint at the Plainview JFK High School. In 1978, Joe became Head Wrestling Coach at Levittown Division High School and had great success, coaching several Nassau County Champions and a New York State Champion in 1985

From 1989 to 1996, he created and coached the Connetquot Club Wrestling Program and worked with the Middle School & High School programs at Islip. For the next fifteen years, he served as the Head Coach at Islip High School located in Long Island's Suffolk County.

It was at Islip that he began his efforts to meet the best of the best in America". Included among them were El Reno HS from Oklahoma; S. Edwards's Prep from Ohio, and Bergen Catholic from New Jersey. He also had his teams compete in the National High School Championships. Joe was recognized for his efforts by the National Wrestling Coaches Association and named Regional Coach of the Year at the NCAA Championships. Also listed among his many achievements are "Coach of the Year" in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and guest coach of the New York USA Junior Dual Meet Team.

Joe and his wife Kathy believe that among his greatest coaching achievements are the great success his sons Joe Jr., Mike, and Ryan had in their wrestling careers. All three were National High School Coaches Association Tournament Finalists. His determination to both compete with, and be the best, enabled him to establish Islip's program as one of the finest in the Nation.

During his tenure as a wrestling coach, he produced nine NY state Champions and thirteen of his athletes placed second in the NY State Championships. twenty four achieved "All-New York State" status. He is particularly proud of his nine High School All Americans. On a local bases, Joe's wrestlers produced 37 County finalists and 78 Suffolk County place Winners. As a team they achieved the New York State Tournament Championship. Twice his wrestling teams were team runner-ups and once the New York State Dual Meet Championship team.

In addition to his family and coaching duties Joe has served on the Down State NY National Wrestling Hall of Fame committee. He is a worthy inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.