Malvern resident, Mark Cortese, finishes production of documentary

by Jeff Garrett

MALVERN - After five plus years of interviews, trips, research and negotiations even, former high school and college Wrestling standout, Mark Cortese of Malvern, finished a documentary titled, "The Gentleman Coach," - a tribute to Haverford School Wrestling coach from 1947-94, Neil Buckley.

The 57-minute film debuted at The Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Thursday, April 6 in two showings to contributors, school alumni and others. Nearly everyone in the theater had some direct, positive connection to Buckley - a standout Wrestling coach, Social Studies teacher and Western Safari director who gave his life to guiding students at the all-boys prepartory school for 47 years.

Cortese, and partner, Rich Hoffmann of Media who edited the film, interviewed dozens and dozens of wrestlers who Neil coached over several decades. The two, along with four other of Neil's wrestlers from the late 80's and early 90's, provided the movie's score, research and legal management to bring the picture to fruition.

Neil Buckley's life was The Haverford School. After serving in World War II, Buckley applied for a teaching job at Episcopal Academy. That spot filled, so Buckley applied to Haverford and was tapped to start the school's first Wrestling program in 1947 - knowing nothing about coaching Wrestling.

Fast forward almost 10 years and his program is highlighted in "Sports Illustrated" in 1957 for its success and popularity. The rocket was launched. And the wins, they just kept on coming -- to 500 wins by 1986 and to 646 total victories by the mid-1990's.

His practices were deliberately intense so the boys were ready for matches. Buckley didn't holler or berate kids during those dual matches but watched quietly with intent, wearing sunglasses inside wrestling halls actually, while letting his wrestlers work out difficult situations for themselves.

Buckley coached other sports at Haverford, readied sixth grade boys in History with a big country report project and led eight-week long Western Safariis all in the hope of readying students for their lives after Haverford. But coaching Wrestling was Neil's greatest lasting legacy.

He died suddenly in 1994 at Haverford, ironically preparing for a trip to Malvern Prep for an Inter-Ac Wrestling match between the schools. Cortese was in his first job after college, teaching at Haverford, and was with Buckley when the ambulance arrived. When he learned his coach did not survive, Cortese said to himself, "someday I'm going to do something special for you Neil."

That day is here.

Did Cortese and the production team nail it ?

"We wanted to showcase the life of Neil Buckley who was a true gentleman," said Cortese. "We think what we've got now is a great start but wanted to see what contributors to the project thought," hence the showings at the Institute. The two executive producers feel the film has a wider scope and actively seek help from those who knew Neil to craft and shape the scope; they realize that there could be a few audiences out there the film could touch.

While receiving high praise from those in attendance, Cortese and Hoffmann, added that they might consider a shorter version of the documentary while getting a full-length feature on Vimeo is a priority.

Yet judging from the satisfied faces in both crowds Thursday night in Bryn Mawr, some don't see the need to change anything. Truly, the pieces will continue to fall into place as the project continues to gain steam after a successful launch. And like a surprise Wrestling move which leads to a quick pin early, it seems that Cortese, Hoffmann and the production team could not have asked for a better start in producing a captivating, emotional, fitting tribute to their gentleman coach.

For more information on "The Gentleman Coach," visit www.thegentlemancoach.com and The Gentleman Coach on Vimeo.