Coach Rich Anderson (Ando)It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Coach Rich Anderson. After a hard-fought bout with cancer, Coach Anderson passed away on Saturday July 23, 2016.
Coach Anderson was the head coach of the Mepham Pirates wrestling team from 2005 - 2016 after starting his career across town as the assistant coach at Bellmore JFK. Coach's insatiable knowledge of the sport paired with his caring demeanor endeared him to his wrestlers and fellow coaches. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for his wrestlers. In 2012, Coach Anderson was named the Nassau County Coach of the Year. As Pirates' head coach, he coached 29 All-County wrestlers, four county champs, and a two-time state champion. In more than twenty years of coaching, Rich Anderson touched the lives of countless wrestlers who no doubt are better men today for having known him. He will be greatly missed by the Mepham wrestling family as well as the entire Long Island wrestling community. |
How to Help |
If you would like to donate to the Anderson family fundraiser, click here. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
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Background |
Coach Anderson was a three-time All-County wrestler for Berner and Massapequa High Schools. In 1986, he was Berner High School's last Section 8 champion. That year he finished sixth at the New York State Wrestling Championships. After high school, Ando continued wrestling at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Coach was a beloved special education teacher at Grand Avenue Middle School in Bellmore, NY. He is survived by his wife, Kristen, and their three children, Kayla, Aly, and Luke.
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