Nine Elected To Connecticut Chapter Of National Wrestling Hall Of Fame

CONNECTICUT — Nine outstanding individuals from the state’s wrestling community have been selected for induction into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

An induction dinner is scheduled for April 26, 2025 at Mohegan Sun to honor these men for their contributions to the sport of wrestling and their communities.

The new electees are:

• Shirzad Ahmadi, longtime high school and collegiate coach and wrestler
• Drew Black, head coach at Wesleyan University
• Fritz Blasius, benefactor to many local charities and organizations
• Gerry deSimas Jr., longtime sportswriter, founder of Connecticut Wrestling Online
• Dave D’Alessio, former coach and teacher in Madison
• David Green, head coach at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury
• Ted Oczkowski, coach, official and administrator
• Chris Piel, head coach at New Milford High School
• Ray Southland, longtime official and middle school principal

D'Alessio and Southland will be inducted posthumously.

All nine will receive a Lifetime Service award for coaches, officials, or contributors with at least 20 years of service.

They will be permanently recognized in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma with an embossed name plaque, and each receives a plaque and jacket to commemorate this special occasion. They will join 51 other inductees in the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Anyone interested in obtaining tickets is asked to email ctwrestling7@yahoo.com with your email address for a message when they go on sale.

Learn more about the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame by going to the chapter’s own website or the chapter website at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.