Class of 2008

When Severino Popolizio, a few years removed from his native Italy, found himself looking for a high school sport, nothing looked familiar. With the futbal he grew up playing not an option at Linton High School, Popolizio opted for the American version. As good as he was at football, Popolizio really excelled on the wrestling mat, winning 95 percent of his matches in a high-school career that included unbeaten junior and senior seasons.

His second trip to the state tournament saw Popolizio place second at 132 pounds. A 1973 Graduate of Linton High School, Popolizio had to give up one sport when he went to college.
His decision to continue wrestling worked out just fine, as he would become the first wrestler inducted into the Boston University Hall of Fame.

At Boston University, Popolizio compiled a 68-4-2 record in dual meets. He qualified for three NCAA Championships, missing out as a freshman when he lost an overtime decision in the qualifier.

On teams that included fellow Capital Region wrestlers Tom Kryzak, Mark Jones and Mark Nichols, Popolizio helped the Terriers to four Greater Boston, three Yankee Conference and a pair of New England titles.

Popolizio reached the NCAA quarterfinals as a junior. Popolizio wound up his collegiate career with a 19-2 dual meet record, his fourth straight GBC title, a third Yankee Conference crown, a second New England title and his third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Popolizio also received the E. Ray Speare Award as the University's top male student-athlete.

Popolizio now lives in Cobleskill, where he and his wife own a farm and raise Angus cattle.