Lehigh Valley Wrestling History – Frequently Asked Questions
Q, Why did you start this site?
A. I’ve been a wrestling fan my entire life and grew up going to matches with my Dad. He and his friends told me many stories over the years about wrestling in the 1950’s and 1960’s. After my Dad (Dick King) and several prominent coaches (Ray Nunamaker and Tony Iasiello) passed away, I decided to research my Dad’s time wrestling and coaching – the 1950’s and 1960’s. Once I started researching the history of wrestling in Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania, I was hooked. I figured that someone had to the stories of those early coaches and wrestlers and why couldn’t it be me.
Q. What is the goal of the website?
A. The goal is tell the story of how wrestling started and grew in the Lehigh Valley. It the story of the coaches, wrestlers and teams that established the tradition, rivalries and foundation for how the Lehigh Valley became one the best areas for wrestling in the entire country. Originally, I was planning on writing a book, but a book is static; it can’t easily be changed. A web site is dynamic. Content can be added and much has – thanks to people who follow the site, the Facebook Page and the connections made by going to matches, events, talking with coaches, wrestlers, officials, writers, etc. The wrestling community is a very close one and everyone has been very helpful!
Q, Did I wrestle?
A. Yes – I wrestled in the Allentown youth league, Allentown Suburban Junior High League and at William Allen. I enjoyed wrestling, but I consider myself more of a fan than a wrestler.
Q. How was the content for the website compiled?
A. The content written and records compiled after researching online yearbooks from several sites, many hours at the Allentown Public Library reviewing microfilm from The Allentown Morning Call and Globe Times / Easton Express from the Easton Public Library. I’ve had a Newspapers.com account for the past few years and obtain much content from there. Additional sources include stories that I heard firsthand and interviewing former coaches, wrestlers and fans. There are a number of fellow wrestling historians – some much more experienced than me – who have been incredibly helpful and supportive. Going forward, I hope to continue to enhance the content from interviews and hearing from you!
Q. Will additional years be added to the site? When?
A. ORIGINAL ANSWER: Yes. I’m not sure how many years we will ultimately cover. I’ve completed detailed research through 1988 and am working on on the late 1980’s. I plan on circling back and filling in more details from the late 1970’s through the 1980’s and then, yes, I will probably begin working on the 1990’s during 2019.
UPDATED ANSWER (6/2020): I’m about to publish the season summary for 2000-01 and have researched seasons up through 2010-11. The goal now is to eventually bring the site up through the current date. I also want to continue to add contact to the existing season summaries, including more photos. In addition, I’m interested in researching the history of some great rivalries, finals history of regional tournaments, etc.
Q, I have a scrapbook and pictures – are you interested in seeing any of them?
A, You bet. One of the original goals of starting a website (versus writing a book) is that the website can by collaborative and dynamic. If you have information that can enhance the site, fill in a gap or provide new information or stories, we’d love to hear from you. Please follow this link: https://lehighvalleywrestlinghistory.com/contact-us/please-submit-your-stories-photos/ and let us know what information you have and your contact info.
Q. Is there anything specific content that you are most interested in right now?
A. Yes, there are a few things, in particular photos, rivalries, first hand stories about coaches and relationships between coaches, first hand stories of memorable wrestling matches, etc..
Thanks, –Rich King (Updated 6/16/2020)