Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Randy Strayer enjoyed the best finish of his career in 1984 after suffering through a dismal start to the season.

A senior wrestler in the 167-pound class, he missed most of the preseason due to a computer science internship he was serving at a Giant Eagle supermarket in Pittsburgh. Strayer struggled in early matches but soon found his footing. He wound up winning his division at the NCAA Division II Eastern Regional, defeating all four foes by major decision, and then earned All-America honors at the national tournament in Baltimore.

Strayer capped a 30-13 season and a stellar career by dominating Pat Allen of Springfield College (Mass.) 12-1 to claim seventh-place honors. That victory left him with a 77-41-1 career slate, a school record for wins. What made that achievement even more impressive, Strayer regularly wrestled opponents from PSAC schools like Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro and Lock Haven that competed at the Division I level.

Despite taking on such high-level foes, Strayer won various invitationals during his career and more than held his own against the best of the PSAC. He finished third at the conference tournament in 1983 and placed sixth in 1984. Strayer and teammate and practice partner Rich Bonaccorsi then became the school’s first NCAA regional champions, winning back-to-back matches at 167 and 177 pounds at Springfield, Mass. Coach Bill Blacksmith’s team placed fourth, the school’s best finish ever.

Not only did Strayer excel indoors; he was also an outstanding pole vaulter. He finished fifth at the PSAC meet in 1982 and was third in both 1983 and 1984. Strayer soared a personal-best 14 feet as a senior, only three inches shy of what was then the school record.

Strayer graduated from IUP in 1984 with a BS degree in computer science and earned a master’s in information science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1990. He retired after working for 36 years as supply chain director for Carpenter Technologies in Latrobe.

He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Greensburg. They have two children, Eric and Megan, and five grandchildren.
 

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Personal Reflection

I am honored to be inducted into the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame. In wrestling, coaches and teammates are critical to your success. Throughout my wrestling career I was lucky to have exceptional coaches, starting with Marc Billett in junior high and Tom Harbert in senior high, both of whom are members of the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.

At IUP I was lucky enough to be coached by Dr. Bill Blacksmith, a Division I national wrestling champion, four-time PSAC champion and a member of multiple halls of fame, including the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. Beyond wrestling technique, Coach Blacksmith taught me many life lessons that helped me be a better husband, father and co-worker.

In addition, coach Murray Neeper was our assistant coach all four years. Through his quite focused attention and hands-on approach, he helped me improve each year.

My teammates were also critical to my success, from the hard work in the practice room, to helping manage making weight, to the fun times we had on the trips down south to Florida and Clemson. I still reference some of the experiences we had on those trips. Spending 12 to 18 hours per week working together in a wrestling room to achieve our goals, you form a bond that lasts the rest of your life.

Wrestling has many different facets, from strength and endurance to discipline for maintaining weight to trying to achieve both individual goals and also having a successful team. I'm happy that some of my teammates were able to be here for this occasion. It would not have been possible without their help. Thank you to all of my teammates!

I was very lucky throughout my wrestling career to have good practice partners and each one, in their own way, helped me improve my skills. But the most important practice partner I had was during my last two years at IUP. Rich Bonaccorsi, known as Bono, started at IUP my junior year and was critical to me becoming an All-American. With Coach Blacksmith's help and Bono as a key practice partner my last two years, I was successful in many tournaments, including winning the Millersville and Edinboro tournaments, placing third in the PSACs and, in the final postseason, winning the Division II Eastern Regional and placing in the top eight at Division II nationals to become an All-American. Bono also obtained All-American honors that same year and is also a member of the IUP Hall of Fame. Thanks, Bono!

I would like to remember another practice partner, Dana Paulson, that passed away unexpectedly during our sophomore season. He was one of the most talented natural athletes I ever worked with. RIP.

None of my success could have been possible without the support of my family. My parents helped in many ways from supporting me with my decisions to compete in athletics, providing moral support at the events and constantly at home, transportation to and from practice and events and helping me maintain my weight during wrestling season. Being the youngest of four boys made me a little tougher. But I would like to thank my brother and IUP roommate, Roger, for all of his support and motivation—“eye of the tiger.”

In addition to wrestling, I also competed on the IUP track and field team as a pole vaulter. Being on the track team was a good experience. With coaches McCue and “Doc” Raemore's support I was able to place three times in the PSACs (third twice and fifth once).
I’ve been blessed with my wife Jennifer for 42 years; she supported me through all my years at IUP. We have two children (Dr. Eric Strayer and Dr. Megan Ferlic) and five grandchildren.

After graduating from IUP I was lucky enough to obtain a job in my hometown of Latrobe with Latrobe Steel Company, which then became part of Carpenter Technologies. I retired as director, supply chain, after 36 years and enjoy traveling and our grandkids.

All of my achievements, athletically, personally and professionally, are only due to the gifts given to me by my savior Jesus Christ.