Sam Kucenic (2006) - Bison Athletic Hall of Fame

Sam Kucenic

Induction:
2006
Class:
1971

A takedown specialist, Kucenic was the first ever three-time North Central Conference champion for the Bison, winning in 1969, 1970 and 1971 under coach Bucky Maughan...Became NDSU’s second All-American with a third-place finish at 123 pounds as a sophomore at the 1969 national tournament...Compiled records of 10-1 as a senior, 16-2-1 as a junior and 18-2 as a sophomore for a career record of 44-5-1...Graduated from NDSU with several records that eventually were broken (takedowns, near falls and match points)...Taught school for 25 years at Hempfield Area High School in Pennsylvania where he was a two-time Teacher of the Year...Compiled a record of 218-22-2 over 20 years as the wrestling coach of Hempfield and Greensburg-Salem High Schools...Coached future Bison standouts Brian and Jeff Kapusta at Greensburg-Salem...Served a two-year term as president of the WPIAL coaches association.