THOMAS CHICKANIS
Class of 2018
THOMAS CHICKANIS

Hudson Falls Tigers, Coach & Founder of the Wrestling Program

 

Thomas Chickanis was a native of Greenwich, Conn and went to Springfield College where he graduated in 1958 with a bachelors degree in physical education. Tom would move to Hudson Falls soon after that with his wife Rose to take a position with the Hudson Falls School District as a physical education and health teacher.

Tom would become the assistant football coach and assistant track coach along with coaching JV baseball and basketball for Hudson Falls. Tom was one of the football coaches for the Hudson Falls Tigers during the memorable undefeated perfect season of 1965. Tom was also a football coach for the Glens Falls Semi-Pro Green Jackets and was known throughout the decade of the 60s as one of the best fast pitch softball pitchers in the area as he pitched for the Hudson Falls Faculty team.

Chickanis was very interested in wrestling and was the wrestling coach for the Glens Falls YMCA in the early 60s. He would speak about wrestling and how it should be brought into the area.

Tom would coach the first wresting team in Hudson Falls history in 1964 in its inaugural season. In his first season he placed 5th in the Northern Conference. He had his first winning season in 1965 when he went 8-6-1 and finished 3rd in the Northern Division.

Tom would become the Section 2 Wrestling Chairmen during this time and Chickanis Tigers would keep improving and in 1970 would go 13-0 and bring home the number one title in the Northern Conference ahead of top team and rival South High. Tom would coach three wrestlers to the state tournament during his time as coach.

Tom was a member of the National Association of Wrestling Coaches and the Capital District Wrestling Officials Association. He was a member of the Adirondack Board of Baseball Umpires Association and the New York State Teachers Association and a member of the Hudson Fall Recreation Commission.

Thomas Chickanis died on October 18th, 1970 in a tragic accident when he was taken from his family, friends, students and the Section 2 wrestling community way before his time. Hudson Falls would name their wrestling room after him as the Thomas Chickanis Wrestling Room. They also have a yearly wrestling tournament in his honor, The Thomas J. Chickanis Memorial Tournament.

The Hudson Falls 1970 graduating class dedicated their yearbook to Chickanis. The dedication read: Although we will be striving for ever to attain the high goals which you have set for us, we will always keep in mind the one who instilled these spirits in us, of victory and fair play. You counselled us in those difficult situations that we have encountered through the course of our school years and your great willingness to listen was tremendously appreciated. The realization that you were behind us all the way, the necessary push that you set forth to make us hang in there and the friendly smile that was always available for us will never be forgotten. Therefore, we, the Class of 1970, dedicate our yearbook to you.