IN RECOGNITION OF WALTER FISK ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 144
(Extensions of Remarks - September 10, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF WALTER FISK ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE LUZERNE COUNTY
SPORTS HALL OF FAME
______
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former athlete,
coach, and Northeastern Pennsylvania native Walter Fisk. This year,
Walter was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame on
August 11, 2019 for his distinct athletic achievements in the sport of
wrestling.
Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who
have brought fame and recognition to the state of Pennsylvania through
their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors.
Walter is a 1981 graduate of Lycoming College where he was captain of
the wrestling team under the direction of the legendary National
Wrestling Coach Hall of Fame Coach Bud Whitehall. After college, Walter
began his coaching career at Sayre Youth Wrestling before taking the
coaching post at Wyalusing Junior High. In 1986, he was named the head
coach of the Wyalusing varsity wrestling team. Walter coached the
Wyalusing Rams to 12 league championships, 9 Sectional, 6 District IV,
and 6 Regional team titles. They also clinched the State Team
Championship three times and were State Team runner-up twice. Alumni of
his wrestling program include 83 Sectional, 27 District, and 21
Regional champions as well as 33 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic
Association (PIAA) medalists, and 7 State champions. Six of those PIAA
medals were earned by his sons, Josh and Matt.
In his tireless dedication to wrestling, Walter has held several
leadership positions to promote the sport. During his tenure as head
coach, he has been District IV Coaches' Association President,
Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association (PWCA) President, Executive
Committee member and Convention Committee Chair, National Collegiate
Wrestling Association (NWCA) State Representative, BRUTE National
Wrestling Tournament Event Director, and REACHES Executive Director and
PWCA Convention Chairman.
In recognition for his superior and successful career, Walter has
been inducted into the Sayre High School, Wyalusing High School,
Northern Tier League, Northeast Section, District IV, PA Wrestling
Coaches' and the National Wrestling Halls of Fame. In 1997, 1999, and
2000, Walter was named the PIAA State Wrestling Coach of the Year, and
in 2000, he was recognized for his unparalleled leadership ability as
the National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year. In 2004, he was
honored as Pennsylvania Wrestling/Wrestling USA Man of the Year. When
Walter retired as head coach in 2005, his career record at Wyalusing
was 297-52-1. Unable to resist the draw of the mat and the quest for
athletic success, he returned to coach the junior varsity team in 2011
and continues to do so today.
It is an honor to recognize Walter on his induction into the Luzerne
County Sports Hall of Fame. May his story and athletic career serve as
an inspiration to the next generation of Pennsylvania athletes striving
for excellence.
____________________
