Wrestling world remembers Wandrisco
Michael Wandrisco
Michael Wandrisco (third from left) poses with his fellow wrestling officials for the 2017 Powerade Tournament.
Whenever Michael Wandrisco bumped into Steve Snyder, with a twinkle in his eye, he’d always ask his dear friend what he’d be doing. Snyder would boast about where he’d been or where he was going, because as a teacher, he had summers off.
“I realize now that didn’t really bother him,” Snyder said. “Michael just enjoyed asking. He’d always add, ‘You know buddy, I’m going to do that someday.'”
Sadly, that someday will never come for Wandrisco. He died unexpectedly March 27, two days after officiating during the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. He was 53.
After a viewing at Warchol Funeral Home in Bridgeville and a Mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, the Scott Township resident was laid to rest April 2.
“His loss is so sad,” said Bill Lewis, who wrestled at Peters Township High School and coached for 20 years at Mt. Lebanon before stepping down as head coach for health reasons in 2015.
“He will be missed by more than just his wrestling friends and fans,” Snyder added. “It is truly a great loss to his immediate family.”
Wandrisco was the beloved husband of Shellee and father of Allie Delmaster and Michael. He was the son of Kathleen and Clem Wandrisco.
The Wandrisco name, along with Havko, is synonymous with wrestling at Bishop Canevin High School. Under their father, Michael and his older brothers, Clem and O.J., embarked on a family wrestling tradition in 1979.
Then a senior, Clem finished runner-up in the WPIAL at 138 pounds and advanced to the PIAA championships. O.J. also placed second in the district and took third at the state tournament that same season. Clem, who lives in Scott Township, would go on to become an NCAA officia,l while O.J. would go on to coach the Crusaders as well at Chartiers Valley. Currently, O.J. works with the Young Life Group in Mt. Lebanon.
In 1980, Michael, then a 98-pound freshman, won a section title, took second in the WPIAL and went to states, while O.J. at 105 pounds was crowned a section and WPIAL champion and finished fourth in the PIAA.
Though Michael failed to qualify as a sophomore, O.J. won a section title and added second and third places at the district and state finals.
Michael earned bronze medals at the WPIAL championships his junior and senior seasons of wrestling for the Crusaders.
“When you have two older brothers that wrestled and were successful,” said Snyder, “the little brother wants to do what the older ones did with the same success.”
Snyder also noted that wrestling in those days was a big deal, considering big schools like Canon-McMillan, Washington, Chartiers-Houston, Chartiers Valley and Mt. Lebanon and small schools such as McGuffey, Waynesburg and West Allegheny all wrestled against each other and the wrestlers all knew each other.
At age 21, Wandrisco made himself known on the mats in another way. While a student at Washington &Jefferson College, he became a PIAA wrestling official on Dec. 1, 1986.
“I have watched Michael grow into a truly outstanding official,” said Snyder, who joined the Pittsburgh Wrestling Officials Chapter the same year Wandrisco did and now serves as the group’s secretary-treasurer. “His integrity, honesty, fairness, sincerity and trustworthiness showed throughout his career both on and off the mats.”
In addition to dual meets, Wandrisco officiated all the big events from sectionals, WPIAL team championships to PIAA tournaments. He worked Powerade, the Allegheny County Championships as well as the Dapper Dan Classic.
“Mike was one of the top wrestling officials not only in the WPIAL but also the state,” said Frank Vulcano, Canon-McMillan athletic director and Powerade Tournament director. “His talent and knowledge of wrestling will be deeply missed. He will be hard to replace.”
Bill Evans agreed. Wandrisco’s passing has left a hole in the heart of the Chartiers Valley High School wrestling coach.
“Michael was an amazing individual. Respected PIAA officials often go unnoticed in their retiring, or, as in this case, their untimely passing. He touched and served so many.
Wandrisco officiated Evans’ matches when he competed for the Colts. He also worked his son’s matches.
“I have so many great stories and memories of him,” Evans said. “Michael was just an all-around great human being and a positive force in our sport and in our community.”
In addition to his scholastic officiating duties, Wandrisco refereed local youth matches for the South Hills Wrestling League.
“Just to give back to the kids,” Evans said.
Lewis concurred. “He always gave of his time and service. He did a great job always. I’ll never forget his kindness. He always had a smile on his face. He was one of the good guys and he will be greatly missed.”
Marc Allemang misses Wandrisco already. The current Mt. Lebanon mat boss, who wrestled at Bethel Park, was “shocked” to hear the news of Wandrisco’s death.
“He was such an incredible person. As genuine and friendly as they come,” Allemang said. “He loved wrestling, was an incredible referee, and a great friend to so many people. He was such a positive guy and everyone who knew him can share only the best about his character. Mike and his brothers, Clem and OJ, were class acts and were so great for our sport. They are three of the best men I know and I cannot imagine what their family is going through..”
Memorials can be made to SIDS Alliance, 810 River Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 or by visiting www.sids-pa.org.