Class of 2018

As a small 9th grader, getting cut from the High School basketball team would have a profound impact on leading to Gene Tracy's involvement in the sport of wrestling.

Participating in the sport beginning in the 10th grade for Fulton High School, his career as a wrestler was not exceptionally noteworthy but it did fuel the passion for future involvement as an official and advocate for our sport.

Upon graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College in 1976 and returning to Fulton, Gene joined the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association (SWOA) in 1980. Through his 37 year membership in the SWOA, Gene has served as President, Past President and is currently a Member at Large, assisting in the SWOA training program for their new officials.

In 2002 Gene was elected to serve on the New York State Wrestling Officials Association Executive Committee as Vice President which led to tenure as President and then Past President and was honored by the Association with their Outstanding Service and Dedication award in 2007. He still serves as a member of the NYSWOA Executive committee as the wrestling representative to the Officials Coordinating Federation (OCF) after taking over in 2014 with the untimely passing of Hall of Famer Lou Pettinelli.

Gene has been the tournament organizer for the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association Blindmen's Junior Varsity Wrestling Tournament since its inception in 1992. In addition to providing much needed matches for Junior Varsity level wrestlers and a training tool for new officials, the tournament is the major fundraiser allowing the SWOA to present a $500 Scholarship each year to a deserving wrestler and to also purchase warm up attire for the Section 3 State Tournament qualifiers.

Gene is also a founding and current member of the Friends of Section 3 Wrestling Governing Board, which promotes our sport through fundraising efforts enabling a season's end Awards Banquet for our Section 3 wrestlers, sponsoring the Section 3 Hall of Fame Banquet, purchase of score clocks used at the Section 3 Finals, etc...

A supporter of all Section 3 wrestlers, Gene was however presented with the Fulton Wrestling Club's 'Contributions to Wrestling' award in 1994 and its 'Fan of the Year' award for the 2012-2013 season.

On the mat, Gene has officiated the Section 3 Tournament 28 times and the New York State Tournament 5 times, where he was rated the #1 Official in 2001. He was also one of twelve officials selected statewide to officiate at the inaugural New York State Dual Meet Championship held at the SRC Arena in Syracuse in 2018.

Although stepping away from the mat as an official at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 season, Gene continues to be active in supporting the sport of wrestling in Section 3 and throughout New York State.