District IX       Brookville

Thursday, 1/15/98
Brookville - longtime head coach Lenny Ferraro of Brookville has died today at 46.
Lenny was a tireless promoter of the sport who spent his life coaching, teaching, and
running camps.  He was known and loved by thousands of fans, athletes, parents, and 
fellow coaches as someone who led by quiet example.  We were all better for his having
been here with us - and we will miss him. Rest in peace.
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A memorial fund is being set up by the 

Brookville Raider Mat Club 
c/o Brookville High School 
Brookville, PA 15825 

Cards can be sent to the Ferraro family @ 227 Pride St. Brookville, PA 15825.
Check the link for info on the Good Samaritan Fund.
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I'd like to organize a tribute site to Lenny here at the District IX page.  If
any of you would like to send biographical information, photos, testimonials, or a 
statement of some kind, I will organize and post them here.  Send to: redbank@clarion-net.com.
via E-mail or snail-mail to 910 Broad St. New Bethlehem, PA 16242.
2/3/98 - The Lenny Ferraro Good Samaritan Fund is established
Mark Powell - 
 
This was a very sad loss to not only Brookville wrestling, but to the entire community 
as well. Lenny truly believed in everything he did, and always presented it in the 
positive.
 
Lenny was in his 24th season of coaching and 15th season as a head coach.
 
A career record of 151-66-4. 65-11 at Brookville, with others being at Johnsonburg.
 
1969 graduate of Brookville Area High School. Compiled a 16-14-3 record under head 
coach Les Turner. Lenny then attended and wrestled at Slippery Rock State College, 
where he graduated in 1973.
 
Started coaching at Ridgway High School as an assistant to Tony Catalano for a year. 
Lenny then went to Johnsonburg in 1974. There, he taught and was head coach until 1984.
At Johnsonburg, received 4 District 9 Coach of the Year Awards (Class AA), and had 
two state place winners (Rick DeLong, 4th 1979 and Pat Funair, 5th in 1982). 
Lenny compiled an 86-55-4 dual meet record there.
 
Lenny returned to his alma mater in 1984, where he assumed the assistant position 
under Les Turner. He bacame the head coach in 1993-94. His presence was immediately 
felt, going 15-1 in his first season. Had three District 9 champions (Matt Kramer, 
Brad Heeter and Brock Powell). and a PIAA runner-up (Powell lost to Corey Flischer 
of Octorara 6-4 in the finals).
 
1995-96 record was 16-2 (both at Easton Duals) At the 1995-96 District 9 championships,
Brookville won its first ever team title, crowning five D-9 champions (Keith Ferraro, 
Jason Gilligan, Jory Hubler, Chad Constable and Jason Booser). Warren Stout was Lenny's
second state place winner, also a runner-up.
 
Last year, placed sixth at Ironman, ended the season as #1 ranked dual meet team (14-3
two losses at Easton Duals and a loss to BEA). Won second straight D-9 Title with six 
champions (Keith Ferraro, Jason Gilligan, Jeff Shaffer, Jeremy Reitz, Doug Cieleski, 
David Jackson). Two state place winners (Stout 2nd, Gilligan 3rd).
 
6-2 this year. losses to Parkland and BEA 
NOTE: all of Lenny's losses in the past three seasons (7 ), came from nationally ranked
teams. It may go back further, but you'll have to check that out. if it would stop 
there, it would mean just four losses to nationally unranked teams.
Harrisburg Patriot-News article by Rod Frisco on Lenny Ferraro.
sent by Mark Gerrity
 
source:
Harrisburg Patriot-News
Harrisburg, PA
Saturday, January 17, 1998
section C, page 20
WRESTLING by Rod Frisco

favorite photo of Lenny Ferraro - recently reprinted in the Brookville paper

patch being made for Brookville uniforms
Lenny always said this to his kids before big matches...
sent by one of the team members.

Lenny is mentioned on the new Official's Corner page

The loss of a loved one who is loved by all
His greatness and attitude we will never let fall
A father, a husband, and a caring coach
A man w/a dream, and a different approach
He would push you on, make you go for the win
Or be it in wrestling make you go for the pin
He would make you try your best
He wanted his team better than the rest
But now that he's gone
Everything has changed
His presence has blessed us through the years
The  pain won't go away tomorrow nor today
But if he was here he'd brush away our tears.


Jared Belfiore
JH wrestler
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