Tim Foley Named to Columbia Wrestling Staff
Former All-American Follows Brendan Buckley’s Lead
Tim Foley, one of the finest wrestlers in University of Virginia history, has joined the Columbia wrestling staff as a graduate assistant coach, following the lead of Columbia head coach Brendan Buckley, who was an assistant coach at Virginia from 1998 to 2000, prior to assuming the Columbia position. Foley, a former All-American and Academic All-American, was a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater last season,
“I’m very pleased to welcome Tim to our staff, “Buckley said. “He made a lasting impression on me as a freshman wrestler at UVA during my last year there, and I’ve followed his progress as he became an All-American and ACC champion.”
“His record of excellence both on the mat and in the classroom will be a great example for our student-athletes.”
Foley, 24, was a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion, in 2002 at 157 pounds and 2004 at 165. He earned All-American honors in 2004, when he finished eighth in the NCAA Championships. He was ranked in the nation’s Top 20 for three seasons.
A two-time captain and the 2003 UVA MVP, Foley is the second-winningest wrestler in University history, with 114 career victories. He holds two Cavalier records, for season dual-match victories (18 in both 2002 and 2003), and career duals victories (49). His 13 pins in one season and 149 career matches both rank second in Virginia annals. He posted notable victories over three nationally-ranked wrestlers — Jacob Klein of Nebraska, Pat Owen of Michigan, and Joe Mazzurco of Cornell.
Foley hails from Stafford, Va., where he was a two-time state champion competing for Brooke Point High. He graduated from Virginia in 2003 with a B.A. in political science, and was awarded a master’s in education the following year from UVA’s Curry School of Education, in social foundations and public policy. He competed for the Cavaliers while attending graduate school, and was chosen a National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American. His brother, Brian, wrestles at Tennessee-Chattanooga.
In addition to coaching and competing, Foley has been active in government. He was an intern on the staff of Congressman Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, in the summer of 2001, and moved up to lead intern for the summer of 2002. He served another summer internship in Florida in 2004 with the Mel Martinez for U.S. Senate Campaign, remaining with the campaign through the fall as Field Director for Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Foley will live in Hoboken, New Jersey.
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