Retiring, Fox Lane Wrestling Coach Honored, Gets New Gig

It is the end of an era at Fox Lane High School, with longtime wrestling coach Joe Amuso retiring.

Earlier this month, Amuso was honored for his working: He was named New York State Coach of the Year for 2011-12 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. A statement from the Bedford school district, which announced the honor, also noted that he is the first coach is the state's Section One to win the award.

"I'm honored," Amuso said. He felt that it recognizes how hard the players on the team worked.

The award comes after Amuso leave with a series of milestones. According to the school district, he was involved with Fox Lane for 42 years, coached one state champion wrestler, 35 sectional champions, 236 All League, 125 who went All Section, and 23 who went All State.

In a recent statement about Amuso's award, Fox Lane Athletic Director Beth Staropoli said that "Coach Amuso is a legend in the sport of Wrestling and here at the Bedford Central School District. The impact he has had on the wrestling communities of Fox Lane, Section One and New York State will be felt for many years to come.”

Fox Lane wrestler Sam Speno, who was a state runner up, sees Amuso as a signifcant mentor.

“Since 8^th grade I have been in the wrestling room, he knows how to push me to my limits and to get me to wrestle hard," he said in a statement provided by the district. "I don’t think Fox Lane Wrestling or I would have been as successful without him. He has done so much for me in and out of the Wrestling Room.”

While he may no longer be a regular presence on campus, Amuso is not going away from the community any time soon. At a recent meeting, Mount Kisco's Village Board of Trustees appointed him to join the village's Recreation Commission, which is involved in park and recreational programs.