Dick Bonacci (1989) - Hall of Fame - University of Toledo Athletics

Dick Bonacci

Induction:
1989
Class:
1956

Dick Bonacci was the wrestling coach at Cleveland State University and Fenn College. He came to Fenn in 1962 and revived its wrestling program. From CSU's rank have come seven All-Americans and, in recent years, a string of Eastern Wrestling League champions. He was an interim head coach of the UT wrestling team in 1956 after having wrestled for UT the previous three years. He won Mid-American conference titles at 167 pounds and in 1953 and 1954 and at 177 pounds in 1955. In his last two seasons, he also was captain of the UT team. He won 4-1 Tournament titles in 1954 and 1955, after finishing second in the National Greco-Roman championships and fourth in the National AAU Championships in 1953. After he completed his wrestling eligibility, he went out for football at UT, becoming a regular inside linebacker for the Rockets. A native of Cleveland he is a wrestling legend at West High School where he never lost a match in three years. He has been inducted into the CSU Athletic Hall of Fame, Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.