Louis Pettinelli has been a highly respected wrestling official for more than 50 years. Since the 1960’s, he has officiated the Section III championships and organized dozens of volunteers to keep score, help with security, or work closely with officials at the NYSPHSAA Wrestling State Championships. Starting in 1969, Lou has been the representative for the New York State Wrestling Officials on the New York State Public High School Officials Coordinating Federation.
Lou’s career began when he was hired as a teacher at Central Square High School (Section III) in 1955 after graduating from Rome Free Academy in 1951. At Central Square, he coached JV basketball and varsity football, but better known as founder of the wrestling program in 1958 and a long-time wrestling coach.
Mr. Pettinelli is a charter member of the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association since 1958 and has been a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Wrestling Officials Association (NYSWOA) since 1968. From 1970-72, he served as President of NYSWOA and has been recognized by several organizations for his service and accomplishments. In 1984, he was honored with the National Federation of State High School Association’s Distinguished Service Award, presented by the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials’ Association in appreciation for outstanding service and unselfish devotion to interscholastic athletics. In 1987, Lou was inducted into the Section III Wrestling Hall of Fame, then was later inducted into New York State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1996), the Cortland State “C” Club Hall of Fame (1998), the Central Square School Athletics Wall of Fame (2002), the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2006), and the Rome Hall of Fame (2008).
Lou earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Physical Education from Cortland State.