Beloved LI Wrestling Coach, Immortalized In 'Seinfeld,' Dies at 85

MASSAPEQUA, NY — A man who was synonymous with wrestling on Long Island for decades has died. Albert Bevilacqua, Jr. was 85.

Bevilacqua was the longtime wrestling coach at Massapequa High School, where he had Jerry Seinfeld among his students.

Years later, the comic would immortalize Bevilacqua in "Seinfeld," when an actor portrayed the gym teacher "Mr. Bevilacqua," in "The Race" episode.

Bevilacqua already had an established legacy, coaching six Olympic champions during his career.

That career, which lasted nearly a half-century, saw him marketing the sport as an organizer, administrator and as a coach at state and national levels.

"Al was instrumental in a landmark Supreme Court ruling that allowed Wrestling to break away from the AAU and become what is now known as USA Wrestling, the governing body of the sport in the United States. This decision led to other Olympic sports to follow wrestling’s lead," the funeral home obituary states.

He served as USA Wrestling’s Living the Dream Medal Fund, which sponsors Olympic and World medalists in wrestling.

For two years, Bevilacqua was head wrestling coach at Hofstra University. He was a member of the USA Wrestling National Coaching staff member from 1983 through 1991, serving as a coach for the U.S. teams at the Junior World Championships, Espoir World Championships, Tbilisi Tournament and the World Cup.

In 2012, Bevilacqua earned one of his sports top honors, when he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Equally as deserving, he was joined by the greats from Massapequa High School in 1996, when the school placed in their Hall of Fame, "a true icon of the community," the school's Hall of Fame posted on Facebook.

"Al's passion for athletics, his dedication to coaching and his unwavering commitment to mentoring youth left an indelible mark, not only on Massapequa, but on countless lives across the country," the Facebook post added.

Those who knew him best referred to him as "Big Al," "Mr. Bev." and "Coach Bev." The Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday morning at St. Rose of Lima Church in Massapequa.

The Massapequa Funeral Home is holding two viewings on Wednesday (2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.).

A larger “Celebration of Life” ceremony is being planned with the support of USA Wrestling for later this fall in the New York City area, the family posted on the funeral home's obituary.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bevilacqua's name to Beat the Streets Donation , USA Wrestling or the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling, C/O Vito Mundo, 16 Elm Street Massapequa, N.Y. 11758.

He is survived by two sisters, six children, 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bevilacqua's life was "devoted to family, faith, and the sport of wrestling."