About Joseph Anthony Verciglio
Joe Verciglio was a successful coach at James Madison High School and Chantilly High School in Northern Virginia. Joe was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997; the James Madison Hall of Fame in 2003; and the Niagara Falls Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
It was coach Verciglio’s compassion and dedication towards his athletes that all his wrestlers and baseball players remember. |
"Coach V. had many loves in his life. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York he loved his family dearly, his Italian heritage, many lifelong friends, and most importantly his faith in God. His love of sport started at a very young age. He met the love of his life, Charlotte at this place he loved most. He left Niagara in 1957 and attended Paul Smiths College in the Adirondacks. We are not sure if he loved PSC while he was there, but he held his time there dear throughout his life. From PSC he went to "West by God" Virginia and attended WVU. He loved wearing the Mountaineer uniform, and as an infielder competed at the highest level. While in graduate school a coaching position for the freshman wrestling team set him on course for his future. He earned his masters degree in education, married Charlotte, and embarked on his lifelong career as a biology teacher and a coach in Fairfax County. His daughters, Maria and Christine were born in Fairfax. They learned to walk around the wrestling mat, and learned to wrestle in their living room. Coach V. had plenty of sons over the years, and loved each as if they were family. One of our fondest memories of our wrestling family revolved around the end of the year dinner at the Verciglio’s. Coach’s wife put on quite a feast with pounds of spaghetti and meatballs. Mutual love and affection showed most in his final days as he was showered with love and affection as countless men came to see him and shared stories. There is no higher honor than to be recognized by your peers for doing what you love. Coach V. was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997 for his lifetime devotion to the sport; the James Madison Hall of Fame in 2003; and the Niagara Falls Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Coach V. retired from teaching in 1995. Always the sportsman, he enjoyed his days on the beach in Rehoboth, Delaware, finishing at the Inlet with his buddies, followed always with doughnuts, coffee and fish tales. His joy remained his family, and his grandchildren James, Jordan, Ellie, Jonathan, Alexis and Nicholas were his ultimate joy. He continued to stay involved in the wrestling community, and would be very honored to be a part of the Joe Verciglio Wrestling Tournament at Chantilly High School." -Written by the Joe Verciglio Family |