Lehigh University Athletics
Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
John A. Engel*
- Induction:
- 1995
- Class:
- 1931
Lehigh’s glorious wrestling tradition of crowning national champions all started in 1931 when Johnny "Johnny" Engel captured the school’s first national title in wrestling at 118 pounds.
The championship capped a career which saw Engel finish runner-up at the EIWA Championships in 1930 and finish third in 1931.
Engel’s success was not just limited to Lehigh as he was also a member of the 1936 United States Olympic Team. Unfortunately for Engel, he broke his collarbone and was unable to compete. He did eventually see Olympic action, but not as a competitor. He went on to be a referee in Rome at the 1964 Olympic Games.
Engel’s love for wrestling continued throughout his life as he continually coached at Billy Sheridan’s wrestling camps each summer as well as at the former Rippowam High School in Stamford, Connecticut. He also served 10 years as the EIWA’s first president. For all of his efforts and accomplishments, Engel was inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Engel served as the first principal of Rippowam High School in Stamford. He passed away in 2015.
The championship capped a career which saw Engel finish runner-up at the EIWA Championships in 1930 and finish third in 1931.
Engel’s success was not just limited to Lehigh as he was also a member of the 1936 United States Olympic Team. Unfortunately for Engel, he broke his collarbone and was unable to compete. He did eventually see Olympic action, but not as a competitor. He went on to be a referee in Rome at the 1964 Olympic Games.
Engel’s love for wrestling continued throughout his life as he continually coached at Billy Sheridan’s wrestling camps each summer as well as at the former Rippowam High School in Stamford, Connecticut. He also served 10 years as the EIWA’s first president. For all of his efforts and accomplishments, Engel was inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Engel served as the first principal of Rippowam High School in Stamford. He passed away in 2015.
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