Hall of Fame
Michael Ahern '78
Joseph Bona '78
Timothy Carlin '78
Edward Conway '78
Michael Curletta '78
Leonard Falsone '78
Joseph Farage '80
Timothy Kensinger '78
Michael Kreuz '79
Michael Kubiniec '79
Joseph Nowaczyk '79
Emmett Reilly '78
Richard Stanton '79
Emery Rogers – Coach
Doug Happ – Coach
In 1977, the CHS wrestling team went 2-12 and finished second last at the All-Catholic Tournament. In 1978, with a roster essentially unchanged from the year before, the Crusader Wrestlers were champions. It's story worthy of a Hollywood movie, but this surprise ending resulted from determination from student-athletes who exemplified the characteristics of excellence, commitment, and character.
Following the disappointing season, the members of the team and Coach Emery Rogers committed themselves to the goal of winning a championship. They embarked on an incredibly rigorous off-season regiment. All of the hard work paid off as soon as the season started when the team rattled off wins in its first 12 matches and became one of only three unbeaten teams in all of Western New York.
The team lost its final match of the season to DeSales Catholic High School, the reigning league champions and a perennial wrestling powerhouse. The loss didn't dampen the team's spirits, rather, it only raised the stakes for the Crusader wrestlers. And, as fate would have it, the team would meet DeSales again, this time in the finals of the All-Catholic Tournament. Fighting through injuries and illness, the Crusaders defeated their rivals and brought the championship home.
The 1978 Crusader wrestling team placed eight of a possible twelve wrestlers in the tournament finals and claimed three individual titles and five second-place awards. The group also breathed new life into Canisius' wrestling tradition, positively impacting the program for years to come.
