Class of 2019

Dick Meldrim joined the Syracuse Wrestling Officials Association in 1978 and is still an active official, in his 41st year on the mat. He was selected to officiate the Sectional Finals in his very first year as an official and was selected to referee the Finals over 35 times. Dick has also officiated two New York State Championships.

During those years he served the Syracuse chapter as President and Rules Interpreter, as well as several stints on the Executive Board. In 2010, Dick was elected to the New York State Wrestling Officials Executive Board, serving for six years as Vice President, President, and Past President. Dick was awarded the Lou Pettinelli Award in 2018.

Dick graduated from Cortland Junior Senior High School, where he was a back-to-back two-time Section IV Champion in 1971 and 1972. Dick placed 3rd in the 1972 State Championships. While at Cortland, he completed a four year Varsity record of 90 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie. For two years while in Section IV, he was undefeated. Dick was awarded the Ross O. Shafer Award for Most Outstanding Male Athlete, and he also had letters in Golf and Baseball. Dick is the youngest of five Meldrim brothers who wrestled for Cortland High School. Between them, they achieved four individual Sectional Championships, two second placements, two thirds, and a fourth. Dick was a member of Cortland High Schools 1969 overall Champions for Section III. In 2006, Dick and three-time Section III Wrestling Champion Benny Mastronardi were the first inductees into the Cortland High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

After matriculating to Cornell and Cortland State, finding his collegiate career cut short by injuries, for four years Dick was assistant coach to Section III Hall of Famer, the late Gary Dillingham.

He is also well-known across New York State in fast-pitch Softball circles, competing for well over 40 years, on teams winning many prestigious tournaments and league titles. He continues today as a high school softball umpire.

In 1998, Dick was instrumental in forming the CNY Pee Wee League, which is still thriving today.

Dick has been in the athletic clothing business for over 40 years and aided the Section III Wresting Officials in supplying the first-ever warmups, shorts, and tees to Sectional Champions.

Dick and Bonnie, his beautiful wife of over 30 years, recently relocated to their 130 year old camp on Tully Lake. They are the proud parents of children A.J., practicing attorney (and active wrestling official) and Haley, Assistant Director of Admission at Le Moyne College.

Dick would like to recognize the impact and legacy of those who came before him in the Wrestling officials community, names such as John Arcaro, Reed Hawke, Lou Pettinelli, Fred Brown, and a host of others. He is excited to see young officials carry on that legacy and, as always, looks forward to helping them in any way he can.