Biography

Richards’ life is the epitome of hard work, dedication and giving back.

Richards wrestled and attended Easton Area High School. He earned a scholarship to Temple University where he received his Bachelor of Science in 1962.  He served as Student Body President, and was a four- year letter winner for wrestling, as well as a Team Captain. He received the prestigious Sword Award as the outstanding senior classman. After graduating, Richards went on the create North Star Resource Group.

He is now is the Executive Chairman and Founder of the affiliated companies that comprise North Star Resource Group. North Star is a multifaceted financial planning firm with over 140,000 clients with offices in 22 states with client assets under management exceeding $8.25 billion dollars.

In 2007, Richards was honored as the 66th Annual John Newton Russell Memorial Award, the highest honor in the insurance industry by The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Richards has devoted a lot of time to his alma mater and in 2009 was elected to the Board of Directors at Temple.   He has also served as the commencement speaker in 2016, when he was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree. This honor came a year after Richards helped restore the wrestling program as a club sport in 2015 after a 30 year absence.

Richards was appointed the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and the Chairman of the Executive Committee at Temple University in 2019.

He is a past Chairman of the LIFE Foundation and currently serves on the Mayo Clinic of Arizona Leadership Council and a past Chairman of the Mlps. ND Better Business Bureau where he is a 45 year arbiter.   He is also the chair of the Scott Richards North Star Foundation, which annually receives 10 percent of all of North Star’s profits and has given over $5.8 million to charities since 2004.  Since 2018, the foundation has funded two seven-figure endowed chairs for Alzheimer’s research at the Lewis Katz Temple Medical Center.

Phil’s first book, 25 Secrets for Sustainable Success was published in 2007 with the expectation it will continue to be adopted by many as the gold standard for the insurance industry. He has since co-authored, The Sky Is Not the Limit (2014), Practice on Purpose (215) and Promises Kept (2016).

Richards was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2010. He was also inducted into the Temple Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Community Service

Records

4 year letter winner and team captain at Temple

Professional Achievements

2005 GAMA International Hall of Fame Inductee

2007 John Newton Russell Memorial Award Honoree

2016 The American College of Financial Services Hall of Fame Inductee

Personal Honors

Received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Temple University

2010 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

2018 Temple Hall of Fame Inductee

Biography

Graham is the Chairman of the Board and the CEO of the Graham Company. He graduated from Bucknell University in 1962 and joined his father’s company and became the sole owner. He has grown the company from six employees in 1972 with $300,000 in revenues to over a team of 180 employees and a value of $52 million dollars. The Graham Company is one of the largest insurance brokers and agency in the country.

In 2013 Graham was honored as the recipient of the prestigious Philadelphia Insurance Society’s Distinguished Leadership Award. This Award is given in recognition of one’s “leadership and management excellence, commitment to the Philadelphia community, and most importantly, a history of advancing the local insurance industry”, according to their website.

He was also named by the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) as one of the top “Game Changers” over the past 100 years. Graham has numerous charities close to him, including both of his alma mater’s, William Penn Charter School and Bucknell University.

In 2018 Graham was inducted into the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame for his wrestling career and his generosity. Graham had two undefeated seasons while at Bucknell. He also sat on their Board of Directors later in life and made multiple donations including the Graham Field, where the field hockey and lacrosse teams play and the Graham Building, where the wrestling team practices and holds it’s matches.

He is a member of the EIWA Hall of Fame as well as the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Professional Achievements

2013 Philadelphia Insurance Society's Distinguished Leadership Award Honoree

Personal Honors

2018 Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee

National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Chapter Inductee

Biography

Cathy was inducted into the NHSCA’s Hall of Achievement in 2000.

Cathy, like his brother Dan, grew up in and around the restaurants his father created.

Cathy was a state champion while in high school at Woodward Academy. He then went to Furman University and wrestled with his brother. He graduated from Samford University with his Bachelors degree in Marketing.

He returned to the business as a construction apprentice.  In 1995, Cathy was named as the Senior Vice President of Chick-fil-A. Today, he is now the Executive Vice President. He is also the President of Dwarf House and Truett’s Grill, other initiatives of his father’s legacy.

In addition, Cathy is actively involved with the WinShape Foundation, where he provides leadership across multiple programs designed to build relationships and strengthen individuals, families, and teams. Cathy is an avid motorcyclist and sailor. He is know to lead the Foundation’s voyages and rides.

Biography

Dan T. Cathy was inducted into the Hall of Achievement in 2018.

 Cathy has devoted much of his life to service and his community.

Cathy attended Woodward Academy and was the 1971 Georgia State Champion at the 119 pound weight class. He continued to wrestle at Furman University. Cathy ultimately received his Bachelors degree in business administration in 1975 from Georgia Southern University. Upon his graduation, he went back to work in his father’s restaurant, which had now become a franchise.

Cathy has held multiple positions during the course of his career. He leads by example and insists he’s in the “customer service” business.

He was inducted in 2008 into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma as the  Outstanding American recipient. This award is given to one who has used the disciplines of wrestling to launch a notable career in other areas of life.

In 2015, Cathy received the Four Pillar Tribute by the Atlanta Council for Quality Growth. He plays an intrigual part of the WinShape Foundation that was started by his parents in 1984. It was his father’s “desire to shape winners by helping young people succeed in life through scholarships and support programs”, according to their website.

Personal Honors

2008 Outstanding American honoree by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

2015 Four Pillar Tribute by the Atlanta Council for Quality Growth.

Biography

Caruso’s life has been one of hard work, diligence and good accidents as he says.

Carsuo grew up in Newark, New Jersey and attended St. Benedict’s. He was faced with his first good accident of choosing St. Benedict’s because it had a wrestling team that started his course of life on and off the mat.

After graduation, Caruso enrolled at Lehigh University. He is arguably the best wrestler to step foot on Lehigh’s mat. Caruso is the first and only three time NCAA National Champion in Lehigh’s illustrious history. He graduated with his B.A. in International Relations.

Caruso knew what he wanted to do but did not have the funds to start his own company. He worked as a wrestling coach for both the University of Virginia and Lehigh. In 1971 Caruso started his own company and his professional career has continued to grow. Caruso worked with Mass Mutual prior to creating the Caruso Benefits Group in conjunction with BB&T Services in 2005.

Caruso has given a great deal back to Lehigh. He is a very generous donor to the wrestling program and has created several scholarship programs for the university as a whole. He donated funds to the renovation of both Grace Hall and Taylor Gym in the name of his coach, Gerry Leeman. In 2003 Lehigh named the VIP lounge in Grace Hall in his honor.

In 1991, he set up his first scholarship fund in the name of his late father, the Michael “Baskets” Caruso Memorial Wrestling Scholarship. He has also established the Caruso Family Memorial Scholarship fund in loving memory of his late wife, sister and father. He also chairs the scholarship endowment committee for the fund. Caruso is also a current university trustee at Lehigh University, as well as at St. Benedict’s.

Caruso has also been honored for his stellar wrestling career. In 1991, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Two years later he became a charter member of Lehigh’s Hall of Fame.

In addition, for his generosity and philanthropy around the Lehigh Valley, Caruso was the recipient of the Vision in Philanthropy Award from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. He has also been honored with the St. Benedict’s Medal of Honor. Additionally, he was also bestowed the Dream Weaver Award from the Northampton County Community College Foundation.

 

Records

3x NCAA Division I National Champion

Personal Honors

1991 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

1993 Lehigh Hall of Fame Inductee

Vision in Philanthropy Award from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Recipient

St. Benedict’s Medal of Honor Recipient

Dream Weaver Award from Northampton County Community CollegeRecipient

Biography

William Baldwin is much more then a famous Hollywood actor. He’s a supporter, humanitarian, and family man.

Baldwin hails from Massapequa, New York and attended and wrestled at Alfred G. Berner High School. Upon graduation, Baldwin continued his studies and wrestled at Binghamton University for two years. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in political science.

After college, Baldwin went on to model before breaking out in Hollywood. He starred in numerous motion pictures over the years.

Baldwin has done a lot for his alma mater and wrestling over the years. The wrestling program was disbanned for a couple of years before being reserected for the 2005-06 season. Baldwin attended multiple NCAA tournaments in support of the program. In 2010, Baldwin gave the commencement speech for the fall graduation.

When wrestling was to be eliminated from the 2020 Olympics, Baldwin joined the USA Wrestling’s Committee to Preserve Olympic Wrestling to use his platform to shine light on the matter.

Biography

Jospeh Fleming has made an impact on all those he’s touched.

Fleming attended Bucknell University and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1965. After his service in the US Army he went on to attend Temple University and received his M.B.A in Finance. He then attended Columbia University School of Law and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1972.

Fleming continues to practice law at his firm with his sons at Fleming & Fleming PLLC. He practices in the areas of Finance, Foundations, Business and Corporate Law, and Trust and Estate Planning and Administration. He is licensed to practice law in Florida.

 

Biography

Bob Robbins has led a life of public service. He has used his platforms to make an impact for all Pennsylvania citizens.

Robbins attended, wrestled, and graduated from Greenville High School in western Pennsylvania. He was a state champion his senior year. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Robbins continued his wrestling career and was a two time NCAA All American, finishing sixth in 1965 and fifth in 1966 at the Division I National Championships.

Upon graduation, Robbins completed two tours in Vietnam before returning home. He was honorably discharged from themilitary in 1971 with the rank of Captain.

At this time, Robbins returned to school and received his teaching degree. He returned to his alma mater, Greenville High School, as a teacher and the wrestling coach from 1973 until 1977. He coached three state champions during his time at the helm. He was also named the section’s Coach of the Year. Robbins went on to sell insurance for a handful of years after ending his teaching career.

Robbins was elected to the Mercer County’s seat in the House of Representatives in 1982, a position he held for four terms. In 1990 he ran for the Senate and was victorious. On January 1, 1993, Robbins began his journey. Robbins held many positions and sat on different committees during his time in the Senate, including Vice Chairman of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, Agriculture & Rural affairs committee, and the establishment of the National Guard’s Educational Assistance Program. After 32 years of public service, Robbins announced he would not seek re-election and retired at the end of his term on January 1, 2015.

Robbins was honored as the United States Wrestling Federation Man of the Year in 1982. Additionally, Robbins was honored as the Outstanding American in the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001. He was also inducted as the first honoree to the Army National Guard Hall of Fame. He also is an inductee of the Air National Guard Hall of Fame.

Records

Pennsylvania State Champion

2x NCAA Division I All American

Professional Achievements

Army National Guard Hall of Fame Inductee

Air National Guard of Fame Inductee

Personal Honors

Named Outstanding American by the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2001

Honored as the United States Wrestling Federation Man of the Year in 1982

Biography

Bill Benton led a life of honor and accomplishments that made an impact on many.

Benton was born and raised in New Jersey. He attended wrestling powerhouse Blair Academy. He served two years in the US Army in the bomb disposal unit stationed in California. Benton went on to Bucknell University, where he was a standout wrestler. He was also a team captain. He graduated in 1958 and began working on the New York Stock Exchange. Benton continued to work there for more then 40 years until his retirement in 1990.

Benton also very active in his community. He was a councilman for the town of Madison, New Jersey. He was also a board member for the Madison YMCA. Upon moving to Florida, Benton continued his services. He supported the Bethesda Hospital and the Palm Beach Habilitation Center.

Benton’s wrestling stardom culminated with his induction into the Bucknell Athletic Hall of Fame and then later into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Benton passed away February 14, 2019 but his legacy will live on to those who knew him and those in his communities.

Personal Honors

National Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

Bucknell Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

Biography

Morris dedicated his life to supporting his community.

Originally from Bronxville, New York, Morris attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He was on the varsity wrestling team for all four years. He served as the team’s captain his junior and senior year. After graduation, he joined the work force and was hired by Proctor & Gamble in 1980.

In 1985, Morris and his family moved to Colorado and he joined Fuller & Company as a commercial real estate broker. After years of hard work, he was name President and CEO of the company.

Morris meant a great deal the community of Denver. He was involved with many endeavors including being a board member for the Denver Metro Chamber. He was also on the board of the Young President’s Organization, Colorado chapter.

Morris was also a supporter both of Bucknell University and the Bison Club before his passing on April 24, 2017.

Biography

Howard Ferguson was a lot of things to a lot of people. As his daughter Jackie said during her speech at the 2018 Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame where her dad was inducted posthumously, “He was funny. He was tactful. He was magic.”

Ferguson began wrestling while at John Marshall High School. He began coaching in the 1960’s at the West Shore YMCA. While at the helm, his teams compiled a dual meet record of 138-2 over a course of seven years.

His next step, in 1974, was taking over local high school St. Edward’s and the rest was history. In a very short time, almost immediately, he made an impact and turned St. Ed’s into a powerhouse. In his 15 seasons, the Eagles won 11 team state championships and coached 32 individual champs. He also coached 20 runners-up. His wrestlers continued their success at the next level. On the NCAA level, 13 of his wrestlers claimed 26 All American honors.

Outside of coaching, Ferguson was quite a career in real estate. He was considered a pioneer in converting high-rise apartment buildings into condominiums.

Ferguson also was an accomplished author. He penned a coffee-table book, The Edge: The Guide to Fulfilling Dreams, Maximizing Success and Enjoying a Lifetime of Achievement. The book is an accumulation of life lessons, quotes, and beliefs about coaching and athletes.

Ferguson passed away suddenly in October of 1989 but his legacy lives on to all that knew him.

Records

Coached 11 Team State Champions

Coached 32 Individual Champions and 20 State Runners-Up

Professional Achievements

2018 Greater Cleveland Hall of Fame Inductee

Biography

Fritts has led a life of public service from serving our military to teaching and coaching our youth.

Fritts attended Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey and graduated in 1956. He was a New Jersey State Prep Champion in the 138 pound weight class his senior year. He entered Bucknell University and earned his Bachelor’s in Political Science in 1960. He was the starter from 1957 until he graduated. His senior year, he was the ACC Runner Up.

Fritts then joined the US Army, where he continued his wrestling and qualified for the All-Army team. In 1964, Fritts won the Inter-Service Freestyle Championships at 171.5 pounds.. He also won the Hawaii AAU Open Greco Roman Title. He was an intriguing part of finding the Rural Oahu Interscholastic High School Wrestling Conference and starting the Leilehua High School team. He continued to coach until his deployment to Vietnam. He then was sent to Iran, where he stared the wrestling program at Tehran-American International High School. The team traveled to nearby countries for tournaments. After 20 years, Fritts retired in 1980 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1973, Fritts and family landed back in Georgia. He started a youth program at Fort McPherson. In 1977, Fritts obtained his MED in health and physical education from the Georgia State University. He served as the volunteer wrestling coach at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia until 1981 when he was hired as a teacher, and of course a coach.

In addition to wrestling, Fitts coached the Freshman Football team from 1980-86 and again from 1988 until 1991. He also coached the softball team for a handful of years. He coached the JV baseball team for ten years before becoming the varsity head coach in 1990 until his retirement. Fritts retired in May of 1997, handing over the wrestling program to his son. He finished with a career record of 110-19-2. His War Eagles finished six times in the top five.

Fritts was the NHSCA’s Georgia State representative for many years.   He led Team Georgia at both the National Open and the National Duals until 2007. He also helped start the Metro Wrestling Officials Association. He served as the director from 1993 until 1997.

Fritts also volunteered for the Georgia High School Association, the GHSA, beginning in 1978. His main role was the Georgia State High School Dual Meet Wrestling Tournament Director. After 34 years of service, Fritts hung up his clip board and 62 years of life as a competitor and coach.

In 2001, Fritts was inducted into the Bucknell University Hall of Achievement . He was also inducted into the charter class of the Georgia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.

Records

Career record of 110-19-2

Personal Honors

2003 National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Georgia Chapter Inductee

2001 Bucknell University Hall of Achievement

Biography

Steve Gaydosh is Vestavia Hills. He arrived at Vestavia Hills High School in Alabama in 1982.

After 34 years at the helm, Gaydosh retired in February of 2016. Gaydosh has impacted so many over the course of his career as a teacher and coach.

Gaydosh coached the Rebels to 14 state titles, including four consecutive from 1998 until 2001. The Rebels won another three consecutive from 2007 until 2009. In addition, his teams also placed second 10 times. He is the winningest coach in this history of Alabama. He coached 89 individual state champions as well.

Prior to his last match as head coach, Vestavia honored Gaydosh by naming the wrestling room in his honor.

He is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was also named the AHSAA Coach of the Year twice.  Seve is the NHSCA state representative in Alabama and a member of the NHSCA Board of Directors.

Records

Coached 14 State Championship teams & 89 Individual Champions

Professional Achievements

Multiple time AHSAA Coach of the Year

AHSAA Hall of Fame Inductee

Biography

Irvin Naylor has led a life of hard work, perseverance and philanthropy.

Naylor attended to the McDonogh School, in Maryland, on a scholarship for twelve years. During his time at school, he was a rider, part of the cavalry and a accomplished wrestler. After graduating, Naylor attended the University of Miami, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He then went on to obtain his MBA.

In 1961, Naylor started his first company. In 1964, he started Snow Time, Inc., a holding company for three ski resorts. He then started Cor-Box, a corrugated box company in 1968. He has also successfully dabbled in real estate including a small industrial park, a handful of farms and commercial properties.

Naylor, a former top amateur horse rider has his life changed forever in April of 1977. The horse he was riding was spooked and threw him. He broke his C5 vertebrae. He is a paraplegic but that has not altered his drive and love of horses and races.

He has been a longtime member of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association. He remains an advocate of steeplechase horse racing and equestrianism. He has served as the director of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, that raises thousands of dollars annually for charity.

Naylor has also led a life of generosity. In 2010, Naylor donated six million dollars to his alma mater, the McDonogh School, for a new math and science building to be named in his honor.

Personal Honors

2014 Pennsylvania National Show Horse Hall of Fame Inductee

Biography

Rivoire attended Bucknell University. He was a three year letter winner in the sport of wrestling. He was the MAC Conference Runner-up his senior year at the 158 pound weight class.

After graduating, Rivoire continued his academic studies at Harvard University. He graduated with his law degree in 1975.

Rivoire practiced law in Houston, Texas. In the fall of 1985, he was named General Council for NL Industries, Inc.

Rivoire passed away on March 22, 2000 at the age of 45.