Posted by Allen Brown
^^^I’d like to continue posting information on some of Pennsylvania’s collegiate wrestling legends during the off season, and this week I’ll do Dick DiBattista.
I never saw DiBattista wrestle but do remember him officiating college matches. As I recall, Mr. DiBattista had a very good rep as an official, always seemed to be in charge of the match, and his calls rarely disputed. (I’m sure other fans might have different opinions.)
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. DiBattista about 1996 at Lehigh University, when Wayne Baughman interviewed him in Lehigh’s Hall of Fame main room for the Nugent Production “PA Wrestling Legends. “He was in amazingly good health and the consummate gentleman.
DiBattista (“DiBi”), from Ardmore, PA, was never beaten in a wrestling match. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame back in 1995.
The inaugural PIAA Tournament was in 1938. DiBi, wrestling for Lower Marion High School at 155 won the PIAA’s that year, finishing his high school wrestling career undefeated. DiBi then enrolled at F&M Academy and won the National Prep tournament, competing at 165 pounds. Young Mr. DiBattista finished that prep year undefeated.
DiBattista then enrolled at the Univ of Pennsylvania, then coached by W. Austin Bishop. UPenn had started its wrestling program in the very early 1900’s and I believe that UPenn hosted the first EIWA Tournament, which was held in early April of 1905.
During his freshman year at UPenn, DiBattista won the Middle Atlantic and New England AAU tournaments, wrestling at 175 pounds, and continued his undefeated streak.
The assessment of Dick’s wrestling skills is that he was very strong, had an excellent arm-drag, a vice-like tight waist, and a lightening-quick sit out. Reportedly, DiBi was so good on the bottom that he rarely was held down more than 15 seconds. In addition, Dick apparently was quite calm, and says that he did not get nervous before matches.
DiBi’s soph year he went undefeated in dual meets and won the 1941 EIWA Tournament. I think he said he beat someone from Navy that year to win the 175-pound crown. After the EIWA’s, Dick DiBattista entered the NCAA Tournament, which was being held (March 1941) at Lehigh. Dick then was only 19 years old and it sure looked like there was little to no chance that he could win that event!
Well, great wrestlers have great victories, and we shall continue the Dick DiBattista saga – how he won the NCAA title and beyond – later this week (or this afternoon, if I don’t fall asleep after church.) Yours in Wrestling, Allen (WR.com)
P.S. One time the county official in charge of community emergencies asked our local priest how many people could sleep in his church, if there were a disaster. The priest replied, well when I give the Sunday sermon we usually have about 200 sleeping in here.
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Dick DiBattista – Part II (end)…..
Posted by Allen Brown
It was March 1941, and the 19-year-old Dick DiBattista was entered in the NCAA Tournament at Lehigh University and wrestled his way to the finals. His opponent for the 175-pound crown was 29-year-old AL CRAWFORD of Appalachian State. Mr. Crawford was an upper-body throw artist, who had won the AAU’s three times and been on the 1936 Olympic team.
DiBi recounts his NCAA match against Crawford, that he was wrestling cautiously, and was not doing well, so he opened up and took it to Crawford, beating him by a final score of 6-4. Crawford apparently was quite dismayed about the loss, and DiBi says that Crawford accosted him in the locker room and wanted to rewrestle the match right there, before finally regaining his composure.
Mr. DiBattista continued his undefeated career through the 1942 college season (at 175), winning both the EIWA’s and the NCAA Tournament, and also won all his matches through the 1943 season. That year DiBattista won his third EIWA crown, but wrestled no more thereafter – the 1943 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to World War II.
Dick finished his college career 82-0 and his entire high school/prep/college mat career 133-0! (See AWN Vol. 29, No. 7, pp 14-15.)
Mr. DiBattista coached a short time at Swathmore College, then for ten years at Drexel. Also, Dick particularly is remembered as being an excellent referee. He officiated high school, easter collegiate, and NCAA matches for 30 years.
RICHARD DiBATTISTA – THE WRESTLER WHO NEVER LOST A MATCH. Allen Brown (WR.com)
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