Joseph Krufka

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Joe graduated from Plymouth High School in 1948, playing football, track/field, and wrestling 2 years. He won 1st place in W-B YMCA Wrestling School Tourney; 2nd place in District PIAA. Joe served 4 years in the Navy; 1950 stationed at Naval Air Station, Memphis, TN; won 2nd place District Naval title; 1951 Quonset Pt. Air Station, RI, won “Captain’s Achievement Award” and 1st place in numerous tourneys. In 1952 Joe won in New England’s AAU Wrestling Tourney and New England Olympic Trials. In final Olympic Trials, he was selected to the 1952 Olympic Team at 174.5 lbs., representing USA as an alternate in Helsinki, Finland. At Penn State U., he won 1st place twice in Wilkes Wrestling Tourney; placed 3rd in 1954 Eastern and National Intercollegiate Wrestling. In 1955 won 2nd place in NCAA and Eastern Wrestling. Joe began his coaching career at Hanover Park High School, NJ, starting their wrestling program. In 1960 he became director of first Morris County Novice Wrestling Tournament. 1965-1982 was head wrestling coach at FDU University, Madison, NJ, starting their program. In 1965 became wrestling official for district/state tourneys in NJ. 1980 received New Jersey Officials Appreciation Award; in 1986 named charter member Morris County Wrestling Hall of Fame; 1999 inducted into FDU/Madison Athletic Hall of Fame; Year 2000 presented with Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award; 2001 nominated to NJ’s Wrestling Hall of Fame. Joe is a member of the “NYC2012 Circle of Olympians” Committee working to obtain the Olympics for NYC in 2012. Now retired, Joe resides in Randolph, NJ, with his wife Mary Rose. They have three children: Mary Jo Gearhart, Lisa Marie Stanski, and Alison Rosandich. They have 6 grandchildren.