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HOFSTRA FREESTYLE CLUB
Providing the opportunity to compete at the highest level is a top priority of the Hofstra Wrestling program. The Freestyle Club allows
team members to gain valuable experience by competing in postseason tournaments such as the U.S. Open, University Nationals and the
Espoir Nationals. The Freestyle Club has also assisted Hofstra Wrestlers financially, allowing them to compete in international
competitions. Hofstra Wrestlers have competed in the Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Turkey. Hofstra Assistant Coach Donny
Pritzlaff, who has competed around the world, and was a Junior World Champion in 1998 and a member of the U.S. National Team in
2002-2003, will be actively involved in the Freestyle Club. The Freestyle Club is supported by donations to the Hofstra Pride Club. For
more information on how you can support the Hofstra Freestyle Club, please call Mark Cox at (516) 463-6144.
“Traveling with the Freestyle Club improved my skills and
confidence on the mat. It was nice to know that the University and
the Pride Club financially support such endeavors. After spending
so much money in high school in order to travel to competitions,
my parents appreciated this generosity.”
Three-time NCAA qualifier Tom Noto
THE RAY DOWNEY SR.
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AND
WRESTLING FUND
The Hofstra University wrestling program is proud to honor the memory of an American hero
FDNY Deputy Chief Ray Downey with the Ray Downey Memorial Scholarship. Chief Downey, who
served as Chief of Special Operations Command, lost his life heroically during the terrorist
attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Ray Downey was appointed to the FDNY on April 7, 1962. In August 2001, he was placed in charge of all
SOC (Special Operations Command) operations - Rescue, Squad, Haz Mat and Marine - and promoted to
Deputy Chief. Chief Downey’s phenomenal 39-year career with the FDNY was built upon success after
success and rescue after rescue. One of the most - if not the most decorated men in the Department,
Chief Downey received five individual medals for valor and 16 unit citations.
A devoted family man who lived in Deer Park, New York, with his wife, Rosalie; father of five married children, Joseph, Marie, Chuck, Ray Jr. and
Kathy; and adored grandfather of nine, Chief Downey was an avid fan of the sport of wrestling and supporter of the Hofstra wrestling program, where
his sons Joe and Ray Jr. were outstanding athletes. Chief Downey loved wrestling, and he always attended their matches. He continued to support the
Hofstra wrestling program long after his sons graduated.
After his passing, the Downey family, longtime supporters of Hofstra University and the Pride wrestling program, created a scholarship fund to honor
Chief Downey’s memory. Funds contributed are used to endow scholarships in Chief Downey’s name and will provide financial assistance to the
Hofstra University wrestling program. Chief Downey’s sons, Joseph, Chuck and Ray Jr., were successful athletes at Deer Park High School, and
earned bachelor’s degrees from respected universities through athletic scholarship opportunities. Recipients of these funds will demonstrate the
integrity, work ethic, discipline and courage that Deputy Chief Raymond Downey exemplified throughout his life. The 2004 recipient of the Ray Downey
Scholarship Award was sophomore Mike Patrovich from Bohemia, New York.
The Ray Downey Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund Day, which is scheduled for Saturday, February 5 against nationally-ranked Cornell University, is a
unique opportunity to honor Chief Downey’s memory as well as to support student-athletes. For more information on the Ray Downey Sr. Scholarship
and Wrestling Fund, please visit www.downeywrestlingfund.org.
Hofstra University Ray Downey Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
2002 - Noel Thompson, Freeport, NY • 2003 - John Manarte, Farmingville, NY • 2004 - Mike Patrovich, Bohemia, NY
OFSTRA PRIDE WRESTLING