Joe Galante: Interim Head Coach @ College of New Jersey, Talks to Takedown

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey’s Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation, John Castaldo has announced the appointment of Joseph Galante as the interim head wrestling coach. Galante has served as an assistant coach for the Lions since 2007 and will begin his new post on September 1, 2011.

Galante takes over for David Icenhower, who earlier this summer announced his retirement after guiding the program for 35 seasons. Galante becomes only the third varsity head coach in program history joining Mike Curry (1966-76) and Icenhower.

“Having the opportunity to coach at my alma mater is a dream come true. The resources and support that TCNJ offers are encouraging and set our student athletes up for success after college,” Galante said.

The 2007 graduate of the College has been serving as a health and physical education teacher at Alexandria Middle School the past three years.

Galante will make his mat-side debut in Packer Hall on Tuesday, November 8 when the Lions host Stevens Institute of Technology at 7 p.m.

“Our goal as a staff is to continue the great academic and athletic tradition that the TCNJ/TSC wrestling program has built over the past 45 years,” the new coach said. “We will offer a championship wrestling experience while emphasizing the importance of academics and character.”

As a wrestler at TCNJ, Galante was three-year letter winner and claiming All-American honors in 2005 and 2007. He finished fourth at the 2005 NCAA Championships and was then a national runner-up his senior season in 2007. Galante won the 157-pound weight class at the Metropolitan Conference Championships in each of his three seasons and was a three-time national qualifier as well. He finished his standout career with a record of 84-15 and served as a team captain his final two seasons. His success wasn’t limited to the mat as he was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Scholar Team in 2007.

“Joe has been involved with our TCNJ wrestling program for the past seven years,” Castaldo said. “His prior experience as TCNJ wrestler and as a member of Dave Icenhower’s coaching staff will serve him well in taking over our nationally-ranked wrestling program.”