The Return of the Big Man, Joey Fendone Returns to Ediniboro as Asst. Coach

Posted on | August 19, 2010 | No Comments

EDINBORO, Pa. (August 17, 2010) – Edinboro University Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner announced today the hiring of Joey Fendone as assistant coach for the wrestling team. Fendone joins Cliff Moore as an assistant under Tim Flynn, who will enter his 14th year as the head coach this year. He replaces Kyle Cerminara, who left earlier this summer to join the staff at Pennsylvania.

A former standout for the Fighting Scots, Fendone served as a volunteer assistant with the Fighting Scots a year ago. Flynn is pleased to have Fendone as a full-time member of his staff. “I think Joe will do an outstanding job,” related Flynn. “He knows what our program is all about and he relates very well with our team.”

A four-time national qualifier. Fendone wrapped up his career in 2009 with his third trip to Nationals at heavyweight, along with qualifying once at 197 lbs. He concluded his career tied for 19th in career wins with a 105-40 record. He ranks second in career falls with 45.

As a fifth-year senior Fendone won his second PSAC title while recording a 30-8 record at heavyweight. That included 20 falls to tie Deonte Penn’s school record. Fendone ended the year ranked 12th by InterMat and 14th by Amateur Wrestling News. He finished second at the EWL Championships to qualify for Nationals, and then went 3-2 in St. Louis. He took home first place at the Oklahoma Gold Classic.

As a junior Fendone finished with an 18-11 record with six falls. he was hampered by an ankle injury that forced him to miss a month of the season, but he still finished the year ranked 12th by Amateur Wrestling News and 17th by InterMat. He placed third at both the EWL Tournament and PSAC Championships.

Fendone fell one win shy of earning All-American honors in his first season as a heavyweight as a sophomore. He capped a 28-12 season with a great run at Nationals, losing to national runnerup Aaron Anspach of Penn State, 11-1, in the quarterfinals, before coming back with a pair of wins in the wrestlebacks. He decisioned Kyle Massey of Wisconsin, 10-7, then picked up his biggest win as a heavyweight with a 4-3 decision over Iowa’s Matt Fields, who was seeded seventh. With All-American status on the line, suffered his fourth loss to Bloomsburg’s Mike Spaid, but extended the ninth seed to sudden victory before losing 6-4.

He was a wildcard selection to Nationals in 2006-07 after finishing fourth at the EWL Tournament. He finished second at the PSAC Championships, falling to Spaid in the finals.

Fendone began his career at 197 lbs. He enjoyed a cinderella season, taking over as the starter at 197 lbs. in mid-January, then proceeding to dominate the competition, running off 13 straight wins at one point to climb into the national rankings. He ended the year with a 29-9 ledger and ranked second on the team with 11 falls, tied for the 17th-most in school history. In his first trip to Nationals he went 1-2. He placed second at the EWL Tournament and picked up the title at PSAC Championships. He was named to Amateur Wrestling News’ 2006 All-Rookie Team, on the fourth team.

Fendone was a highly-touted recruit who was only the second wrestler ever to win three New England Tournament titles and a three-time Massachusetts state champion. He captured three Massachusetts state championships at 215 lbs. at Central Catholic High School in massachusetts, and set the school record with a 176-6 career record and had 120 falls, also a school record.

He was twice named the Boston Globe Wrestler of the Year and was a four-time All-State and Boston Herald All-State team selection . He posted the first undefeated record in school history as a senior (36-0).

Fendone received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration in May 2009. His brother Shawn will be a fifth-year senior on the Fighting Scots and competes at 197 lbs.