Lehigh University Athletics
A Letter from Pat Santoro to Lehigh Wrestling Alumni and Friends
Alumni and Friends,
After much prayer and reflection, and many conversations with my family, I have made the difficult decision to retire as the head coach of Lehigh Wrestling.
This decision has not come easily. I have been incredibly fortunate to spend my career doing something I love alongside people I deeply respect and care about. The relationships, friendships, and experiences gained through coaching have enriched my life in ways I could never fully express.
As I reflect on this journey, the overwhelming emotion I feel is gratitude.
Lehigh Wrestling has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. It is difficult to put into words what this program and this community have meant to me. Lehigh Wrestling has given me far more than I could ever give back. While people often associate coaching with wins, championships, and accomplishments, those are not the things that come to mind when I look back on my career. I think about the people and the experiences.
I think about the student-athletes who trusted us with their dreams and allowed us to be part of their journey. I think about the relationships built in the wrestling room, the challenges we faced together, the laughs, the tears, the lessons we learned, and the memories that will last a lifetime.
I think about the coaches and staff I have been fortunate to work alongside. Coaching can be demanding, but the friendships formed through this profession are among its greatest rewards. I am especially grateful for our current staff. They are exceptional coaches, but more importantly, they are exceptional people. I love this staff, and it has been a privilege to work beside them every day. Their commitment to our team and to each other gives me tremendous confidence in the future of this program.
I am especially grateful to the parents who entrusted us with their sons. We never took that responsibility lightly. Thank you for believing in us, supporting your sons through the highs and lows, and allowing us to play a small role in their growth and development.
I also think about our alumni, donors, fans, and supporters. Lehigh Wrestling has never been about one person. It has always been about a community of people who believe in this program and invest in its future. Your commitment, generosity, and belief in this program have helped provide opportunities for generations of young men and have played an important role in making this community so special.
Simply put, none of this would have been possible without you.
College wrestling and college athletics have changed significantly since I first entered coaching. Through all of those changes, my love for wrestling and helping young people grow has never wavered. However, after many years in this profession, I have come to appreciate even more the value of time and the importance of family.
This decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with my family and the people I love while embracing a different season of life. Wrestling has given me so much, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and lessons it has provided. While I am stepping away from this role, my passion for the sport and for helping others will always remain a part of who I am.
Most of all, I leave with a full heart.
I am incredibly excited about the future of Lehigh Wrestling. We have outstanding young men in our program, a tremendous staff, and a group of incoming student-athletes who have an opportunity to be part of something special.
I would also like to thank our Director of Athletics, Jeremy Gibson. While he has only been at Lehigh for a relatively short time, I have been impressed by his leadership, vision, and commitment to our student-athletes. Jeremy is quickly learning and appreciating just how special and important Lehigh Wrestling is to this university and to so many people within our community. His support and belief in our program have been greatly appreciated, and I am confident that Lehigh Athletics, and Lehigh Wrestling in particular, are in very good hands under his leadership.
The future is bright, and I will always be one of Lehigh Wrestling's biggest supporters.
While my situation may be changing, my belief in this program never will. I hope our alumni, supporters, and friends will continue to invest in and support Lehigh Wrestling. The strength of this program has always come from the people who care about it, and that support will remain essential for future generations of student-athletes.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being part of Lehigh Wrestling. Thank you for your friendship, your trust, and your support over the years.
I have been blessed beyond measure, and I will carry the memories, friendships, and relationships from this journey with me forever.
All my best,
Pat Santoro
After much prayer and reflection, and many conversations with my family, I have made the difficult decision to retire as the head coach of Lehigh Wrestling.
This decision has not come easily. I have been incredibly fortunate to spend my career doing something I love alongside people I deeply respect and care about. The relationships, friendships, and experiences gained through coaching have enriched my life in ways I could never fully express.
As I reflect on this journey, the overwhelming emotion I feel is gratitude.
Lehigh Wrestling has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. It is difficult to put into words what this program and this community have meant to me. Lehigh Wrestling has given me far more than I could ever give back. While people often associate coaching with wins, championships, and accomplishments, those are not the things that come to mind when I look back on my career. I think about the people and the experiences.
I think about the student-athletes who trusted us with their dreams and allowed us to be part of their journey. I think about the relationships built in the wrestling room, the challenges we faced together, the laughs, the tears, the lessons we learned, and the memories that will last a lifetime.
I think about the coaches and staff I have been fortunate to work alongside. Coaching can be demanding, but the friendships formed through this profession are among its greatest rewards. I am especially grateful for our current staff. They are exceptional coaches, but more importantly, they are exceptional people. I love this staff, and it has been a privilege to work beside them every day. Their commitment to our team and to each other gives me tremendous confidence in the future of this program.
I am especially grateful to the parents who entrusted us with their sons. We never took that responsibility lightly. Thank you for believing in us, supporting your sons through the highs and lows, and allowing us to play a small role in their growth and development.
I also think about our alumni, donors, fans, and supporters. Lehigh Wrestling has never been about one person. It has always been about a community of people who believe in this program and invest in its future. Your commitment, generosity, and belief in this program have helped provide opportunities for generations of young men and have played an important role in making this community so special.
Simply put, none of this would have been possible without you.
College wrestling and college athletics have changed significantly since I first entered coaching. Through all of those changes, my love for wrestling and helping young people grow has never wavered. However, after many years in this profession, I have come to appreciate even more the value of time and the importance of family.
This decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with my family and the people I love while embracing a different season of life. Wrestling has given me so much, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and lessons it has provided. While I am stepping away from this role, my passion for the sport and for helping others will always remain a part of who I am.
Most of all, I leave with a full heart.
I am incredibly excited about the future of Lehigh Wrestling. We have outstanding young men in our program, a tremendous staff, and a group of incoming student-athletes who have an opportunity to be part of something special.
I would also like to thank our Director of Athletics, Jeremy Gibson. While he has only been at Lehigh for a relatively short time, I have been impressed by his leadership, vision, and commitment to our student-athletes. Jeremy is quickly learning and appreciating just how special and important Lehigh Wrestling is to this university and to so many people within our community. His support and belief in our program have been greatly appreciated, and I am confident that Lehigh Athletics, and Lehigh Wrestling in particular, are in very good hands under his leadership.
The future is bright, and I will always be one of Lehigh Wrestling's biggest supporters.
While my situation may be changing, my belief in this program never will. I hope our alumni, supporters, and friends will continue to invest in and support Lehigh Wrestling. The strength of this program has always come from the people who care about it, and that support will remain essential for future generations of student-athletes.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being part of Lehigh Wrestling. Thank you for your friendship, your trust, and your support over the years.
I have been blessed beyond measure, and I will carry the memories, friendships, and relationships from this journey with me forever.
All my best,
Pat Santoro
