Class of 2015

Rick Spicer is a graduate of G W Fowler High School where he earned varsity letters in football and wrestling. In 1983 he began coaching junior varsity wrestling while student teaching from SUNY Cortland in Biology at his Alma matter. Rick was hired the following year to teach Science and was appointed to the head varsity wrestling and assistant varsity football coaching positions as well. He is very proud of his three sons; Richard Jr., Christopher and Markus. Each were student athletes at Daemen college, University of Connecticut, and US Military Academy, respectively.

During 20 years of coaching, Ricks many successes include 12 sectional champions, 8 state place finishers, 3 finalists with 2 state champions. Team accolades include a memorable win against a Fulton team that had not been beaten in section 3 for the previous 10 years.

In 1988, Rick began bringing wrestlers to the fledgling Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club where he has been Vice-president for many years. While providing wrestlers with much needed mat time, many were provided opportunities to travel the world. Through the direction of Hall of Famer Don McGee the trips were far more educational than the athletes realized. Countries visited for the Fowler wrestlers include: Canada, Puerto Rico, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Turkey, Iceland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, and China.

As his wrestlers benefitted from the international experience, he took advantage of the travel by becoming an international referee. He rose to the highest category in the USA wrestling category for Freestyle and Greco Roman and became a certified international official as well. Rick has been an active member of the Syracuse Wresting Officials Association serving as a Member at Large as well as Vice-President. He has been selected to officiate the New York State Tournament 5 times.

Rick worked hard to prepare his wrestlers to win but looked at wrestling as a vehicle to teach young men (and women) important life lessons. He takes pride in being a part of building character in all his athletes.

Rick is currently an Athletic Director in the Syracuse City School District. He began this career at Fowler High School 10 years ago. He has also been an AD at Nottingham, ITC, and now Henninger. He has helped to build the athletic programs at each school.