Pitt-Johnstown wrestling Coach Pat Pecora will be one of nine members of the 24^th class of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony at the Hershey Lodge on Sunday... (PA Chapter National Wrestling Hall of Fame )
 
"Again this year our state committee selected another great class of Honorees to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame via the Pennsylvania Chapter," Pennsylvania Chapter president Ann (Peery) Ritter said in a statement.  "Each year I continue to be amazed at the caliber of the nominees.  Every year the selection process is difficult, since only a few people can be honored each year, and so many have dedicated a lifetime to service our great sport.  This just shows the depth of quality of amateur wrestling, especially in Pennsylvania."
 
Pecora, has been the coach at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown since 1976 and has doubled as Pitt-Johnstown's Athletic Director since 2008.
 
In his 41 seasons at Pitt-Johnstown, His teams have captured 21 NCAA Regional Championships, and in 1996 & 1999 were NCAA Division II National Champions.  Pecora, whose 569 dual meet victories are tied for second all-time in all divisions, has been the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 16 times.  He has coached 12 individual national champions who have combine to win 19 national titles.
 
In 1995 & 1999, Pecora was named NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year.  Also in 1999, he received the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Coaching Excellence Award, given to the best coach in all divisions. 
 
Pecora is the Division II Representative for the NWCA for 10 years, and is a member of the NWCA Board of Directors.  Pat was also the president of that organization for two terms.
 
He is a member the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame-East Boro Chapter, the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame, the West Liberty State College Hall of Fame, the PA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Joining Pecora in this year's class are: Mike Clair, Robert L. Fehrs, Cornelius "Bud" Lindholm (posthumously), Paul Packer, Roger Reina, Barry Smith, William A. Graham, and John C. Thomas.