Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Caruso, Michael J.
Michael J. Caruso
- Induction:
- 1993
- Class:
- 1967
Very few wrestlers in the history of the sport have had as successful a career as Mike Caruso. HIs list of accomplishments is phenomenal. Voted into the National Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1991, Caruso also is a member of the U.S. Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. He is Lehigh's only three-time NCAA champion, winning titles in 1965, 1966 and 1967 at 123 pounds.
A three-time EIWA champion, Caruso won his last 50 bouts in a row and his career mark of 57-1 (.982) is the best in school history. His 32-1 dual record is second only to Kirk Pendleton, who was 35-0. Caruso never lost an NCAA or EIWA Tournament bout. He was a three-time All-American and recipient in 1967 of both the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award and the John Fletcher Memorial Trophy (given to the wrestler with the most points in his career) at the EIWA meet.
In 1967, Caruso was voted as the top collegiate athlete from New Jersey, winner of the Lehigh University Leadership Trophy, and recipient of the ECAC award for top scholar-athlete. Prior to attending Lehigh, Caruso graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J.
Caruso is celebrated and recognized for much more than his wrestling accomplishments. He founded, served as president for many years and still leads, as chairman, a successful and highly respected benefits management company, Caruso Benefits Group. He has shared his wisdom and advice by serving on a number of business, educational and non-profit boards and is part of a highly successful group that purchases and trains thoroughbred racehorses, including a champion filly named Grace Hall. A strong believer that each generation should help the next, Caruso’s support of Lehigh continues through his ongoing service to the University and the greater Bethlehem community that has been his home for more than 50 years.
Caruso, a Lehigh trustee emeritus, and his late wife Sandye, established several scholarship funds at Lehigh. One fund, in memory of his family, provides financial aid to Lehigh Valley student wrestlers so they can experience Lehigh University as he once did. Caruso’s loyalty to Lehigh is also evident through his service on the executive committee of the Wrestling Scholars Campaign and his philanthropic contributions to the renovations of lower Grace Hall, the former wrestling room in Taylor Gym and the construction of the Zoellner Arts Center. In 2003, the Caruso Lounge in lower Grace Hall was named in his honor.
In recognition of his generous support for the 2012 renovation of upper Grace Hall, and for his accomplishments on the mat and in life, the Caruso Wrestling Complex now proudly bears his name and perpetuates his extraordinary legacy.
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A three-time EIWA champion, Caruso won his last 50 bouts in a row and his career mark of 57-1 (.982) is the best in school history. His 32-1 dual record is second only to Kirk Pendleton, who was 35-0. Caruso never lost an NCAA or EIWA Tournament bout. He was a three-time All-American and recipient in 1967 of both the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award and the John Fletcher Memorial Trophy (given to the wrestler with the most points in his career) at the EIWA meet.
In 1967, Caruso was voted as the top collegiate athlete from New Jersey, winner of the Lehigh University Leadership Trophy, and recipient of the ECAC award for top scholar-athlete. Prior to attending Lehigh, Caruso graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J.
Caruso is celebrated and recognized for much more than his wrestling accomplishments. He founded, served as president for many years and still leads, as chairman, a successful and highly respected benefits management company, Caruso Benefits Group. He has shared his wisdom and advice by serving on a number of business, educational and non-profit boards and is part of a highly successful group that purchases and trains thoroughbred racehorses, including a champion filly named Grace Hall. A strong believer that each generation should help the next, Caruso’s support of Lehigh continues through his ongoing service to the University and the greater Bethlehem community that has been his home for more than 50 years.Caruso, a Lehigh trustee emeritus, and his late wife Sandye, established several scholarship funds at Lehigh. One fund, in memory of his family, provides financial aid to Lehigh Valley student wrestlers so they can experience Lehigh University as he once did. Caruso’s loyalty to Lehigh is also evident through his service on the executive committee of the Wrestling Scholars Campaign and his philanthropic contributions to the renovations of lower Grace Hall, the former wrestling room in Taylor Gym and the construction of the Zoellner Arts Center. In 2003, the Caruso Lounge in lower Grace Hall was named in his honor.
In recognition of his generous support for the 2012 renovation of upper Grace Hall, and for his accomplishments on the mat and in life, the Caruso Wrestling Complex now proudly bears his name and perpetuates his extraordinary legacy.
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