The Bruce Stambaugh Q & A

∙ Bruce Stambaugh & Don Lehman @ Mr. T's. Roadhouse.




A Foreword by WY Teammate - Randy Blasdell:
 ∙ submitted by West York Wrestling Alumnus/Contributor - Randy Blasdell
  When Don asked me to do an introduction for his interview with Bruce "Stummy" Stambaugh on westyorkwrestlingalumni.com - it was a no-brainer.

  I have known Bruce since we both started wrestling together in elementary school back in the early 1970's.  Bruce went to Sunset Lane (now Trimmer) Elementary and I went to Shiloh (now Wallace), so we didn't see each other a lot other than at wrestling.  However, it was in 7th grade that Bruce really made an impact and showed me what kind of friend he would become.  WY Junior High Wrestling practice started in November and
I didn't go, because I was hanging out with some bad kids and doing some stuff I shouldn't have been doing.  After missing the first day or two, Bruce cornered me in the lobby at West York Junior High and said "Where the heck are you, Blazer?  You better get to wrestling practice!"  Well, that got me thinking about which path I wanted follow, even at that young age.  And, the fact that a buddy cared enough to call me out... made a lasting impression.

  Thankfully, I heeded Bruce's warning and went to practice and it was one of those seminal moments shaped, I think by divine intervention.  We went on to wrestle together throughout Junior High and Senior High, where we were Jr. High League Champions and... undefeated (14-0) YCIAA League Champions our senior year.  Bruce was a major reason for our success on the mats during those great years.

  After high school, Bruce went to East Stroudsburg State and I to Lehigh University, but we stayed in touch and remained close.  We played softball and flag football together in York after college and I was very proud to be in Bruce's wedding to his lovely wife, Coleen.  I can't go into detail about all of the fun things Bruce and I have experienced over the last 40 years, whether in the wrestling room, at the beach, at the Tallman's cabin or at a "Happy Hour" somewhere.  But suffice it to say that we have had some memorable times together!

  Thank you, "Stummy" for being an awesome West York Wrestling teammate, a Godly husband & father and a true friend.  I'm really looking forward to your interview!

  Randy "Blazer" Blasdell



WEST YORK VARSITY WRESTLING
▪ 1977-78 West York Varsity Wrestling Team ▪

▪ YCIAA League Wrestling Champions (14-0)
Front Row (L-R) Joel Pugh, Rod Stough, Van Emig, Ken Shorts,
John Silar, Clyde Poe, Dennis Heath, Don Botterbusch.
Back Row (L-R) Larry Gay, Barry Gay, Lynn Martin, Bruce Stambaugh,
Dave Stram, Randy Blasdell, Perry Tallman.



WEST YORK VARSITY WRESTLING
▪ 1976-77 West York Varsity Wrestling Team ▪

▪ YCIAA League Wrestling Co-Champions!
Front Row (L-R) Rod Stough, Bob Gay, Bill Pope, Ken Shorts, Chuck Nace,
Todd Reynolds, Steve Toggas, Larry Gay, Barry Gay.
Back Row (L-R)  Mark Harrington, Lynn Martin, Bruce Stambaugh,
Brett Spangler, Dave Stram, Bob Brown, Scott Luckenbaugh, John Reiber,
Perry Tallman, Randy Blasdell.




The Bruce Stambaugh Bio

  West York Wrestling's Bruce Stambaugh - graduated from West York in 1978 and East Stroudsburg University in 1982.  Bruce moved from York, PA in 1984, to take a managerial position with a National Contract Cleaning Co. in Red Bank, NJ.  Bruce's ESU degree in Environmental Sciences had him focused on working outdoors with a local, state or national government agency.  When openings were few and pay was even less, Bruce opted to get into management and he is very glad he did!  Bruce still lives in New Jersey with his wife of 26 years... Coleen, raising three children.  Coleen is also a proud graduate of ESU (class of '82).  Coleen works at a borough grammar school (Shrewsbury, NJ) as a teacher's aid.  Coleen isn't really a wrestling fan, but has NEVER missed one of her boys' wrestling matches during the last eight years!  Bruce recently, after 25 years, made a career job switch to another management company - Cleaning Services Group, out of Boston, MA as their VP of Operations.  Bruce is a huge sports fan and follows the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Orioles and Penn State.  Bruce also helped to start a Junior Wrestling Program 3 years ago, that is a feeder program for a local high school, Red Bank Regional, NJ.  The feeder program pulls from 3 school districts and started with 40 boys in 2009... and, might hit 60 boys this year!  Bruce works with the 5-10 years old group - teaching the BASICS.  Bruce also enjoys jogging, golfing and playing softball (as the adult beverages seem to taste better after the game!)  .  Bruce and Coleen keep very busy following their boys activities.  Bruce's parents, Pat & Carl, still live on Baker Road in York, PA... brother Mike WY '72/ESU '76 lives near Bangor, PA... and sister Sue lives in Nazareth, PA.  "I wish I could see them more often...!!"

  ∙ I asked 1978 West York Wrestling Alumnus and friend, Bruce Stambaugh... to complete an interview for the West York Wrestling Alumni website and its fans.    Don

Don Lehman
Don Lehman
Webmaster, Archivist & Owner of westyorkwrestlingalumni.com



The Bruce Stambaugh Interview by Don Lehman


DL - Bruce, please bring the westyorkwrestlingalumni.com readers up-to-date on what you are doing now... and, what is a "normal" weekday and weekend for you?
BS - I'm the VP of Operations for Cleaning Services Group, a National Contract Cleaning Company, based near Boston MA.  This position takes me to many parts of the USA.  I champion customers in Houston, Boise, Buffalo, Carlisle PA, Portland ME, and Boston... so I travel somewhere every week.  I'm racking up many hotel and airline points!  Weekends are used to catch up on yard work, go to my son's games, and "just" relax.
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DL - I know you personally love the game of golf... when did you first take up the game, and what is it about golf that drives your passion for this great individual sport? 
BS - My dad started playing at a later age - just as I was getting old enough to understand the game.  As a 12 yr old, my neighbor and I "built" a 9-hole course between all of our neighbor's homes and a farmer's field in the back of our development.  We cut the "greens" and had small flags put in the holes.  It was crude to say the least, but I loved it.  I'm not sure my neighbors agreed after banging numerous balls off their siding/roofs and... a few broken windows!  Like wrestling, golf is another sport that is totally up to you - there is no resting or relying on someone else for help - I just love that competitiveness.
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DL - Mike's brother-in-law, (and ESU Alumnus) Anthony Casciano... filled in for you this year at your nephew Phil Stambaugh's PIUS X Football Golf Outing Fundraiser @ Mountain Manor Golf Club in East Stroudsburg, PA - playing with your brother Mike, your father Carl and myself  (we finished 2nd!).  That was the second time I played a golf scramble with your father... and, I'm guessing that you and Mike received a lot of your competitive genetics from Carl!  How did your dad help shape your life and athletic days at West York and East Stroudsburg University?
BS - Even though my dad worked very hard... he would always make as many of my practices as possible.  I can remember him watching from behind the fence at the West York Junior High School while our varsity football team practiced.  He would also come to our wrestling practices too, so there was no slacking off... ever!  He wasn't shy about showing me how to block, or tackle, or to be tough on the mat.  I guess tough love is applicable, but there was never a time he wasn't there for a game or a match.  Both he and my mom were very supportive... and I was very lucky to have that growing up.
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DL - I know from Mike that your mom is currently facing some tough challenges.  How is your mom, Pat...
doing these days?
BS - Mom is doing well and battling her Diabetes.  She still makes the trip to New Jersey to see my son compete - she is a real trooper!
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DL - Bruce, you and your wife, Coleen - have two sons (Connor & Dillon) and a daughter (Leigh).  What are your children up to presently... and, any "athletes" in the family?
BS - My oldest is Leigh, who graduated from Loyola University (Baltimore) in May... has started working for the New York Post in June (moving to Manhattan).  Leigh loves NY City, the people, the pace, the excitement - and the shopping!  Connor is a sophomore at Loyola and is a business major who wants to get into finance, become wealthy, and travel the world (who doesn't!).  Connor plays on the Rugby Team @ Loyola and loves it.  Connor started wrestling in 8th grade... as I asked him to help out and fill in at some upper weights.  Connor agreed and went on to compete for the high school team as a freshman... and lettered 3 years at Red Bank Regional, NJ.  Dillon, is a junior at Red Bank Regional HS... and started wrestling in 3rd grade.  Dillon placed 8th in states as a 5th grader and 4th as a 7th grader!  Unfortunately, Dillon broke his arm competing for 5th place as an 8th grader.  He recovered to win 16 varsity matches as a freshman... and last year (sophomore), won 26 matches and finished 3rd at Districts.  He was ranked 8th in the Region.  Dillon also lettered as a sophomore in football and baseball - and this year, Dillon anchored the football team to a state playoff berth!
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DL - When did you first take up the sport of wrestling... and, who were your early mentors and heroes that you looked up to while very new to the sport?
BS - I started my wrestling career as a 7 or 8 year-old on Saturday mornings at West York High School.  Mike, my older brother by 6 years, was already wrestling for Coach Whedon "Weedy" Myers at the Junior High level, so I was following in his footsteps and being tutored by WY Head Coach John T. "JT" Toggas.  Coach JT always called my brother "Michael" so, naturally I became known as "Brucal".  It was during those early years that I developed a long lasting bond with other West York wrestlers like Barry and Larry Gay, Rod Stough, Randy Blasdell, and Perry Tallman... just to name a few.
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DL - You had a successful career at West York and were part of the 1977-78 YCIAA League Champions, finishing as a team @ 14-0... and, you gained first team all-county honors.  I came home to York, PA from student teaching at Meyers HS in Wilkes-Barre, PA to help as an assistant coach and work out with your teammates - Dave Stram, Randy Blasdell and Perry Tallman.  I knew that this team was very special when I walked into the wrestling room before Christmas of '77.  I also know this team is still close, as evidenced by the various Bulldog Golf Opens and the 2009 '77-'78 Reunion.  What are some of your stand-out memories from that championship year?
BS - Naturally the victories over Hanover and Dallastown were huge!  That Dallastown match came down to the final match and our heavyweight, Perry Tallman, came through big for us!  But, probably the most memorable times were the practices.  We worked extremely hard when we needed to, but... when we were doing round-robins - Dave Stram, Lynn Martin, Randy, Barry, Perry and myself... would 'throw' each other into the portable wall and the mat covered bleachers causing huge booms throughout the wrestling room and gym.  The rest of the team would stop and watch and Coach John Sprenkle would go nuts!  Oh and running... and running the hallways of the school, and... running some more.
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DL - Share some thoughts about your West York wrestling coaches... John T. Toggas and John W. Sprenkle?
BS - How many athletes can say they were coached by a Hall of Fame coach?  Yes, Coach Toggas had some good athletes, but HE made us great wrestlers!  There was never a better coach that I've ever had or ever knew.  Coach Toggas would have this little thing he would always do when he got annoyed with us - a little slap on the back of our necks, one side then the other.  I never forgot that - I think of it as his loving way of "punishing" us for doing something stupid.  And, Coach John Sprenkle, boy... could he scare the crap out of you and forget it if he got you on the mat - it was all over!  Coach Sprenkle was the "Enforcer" and a great one!
We worked so hard for Coach Sprenkle because of the tremendous respect we had for what he did at WY - he was living legend.  I loved the "Bear Hug's" he would give each and every wrestler right before they would step on the mat - awesome!  I still do it to my son and my wrestlers (the bigger ones!) to this day.  We were all fortunate to have two of the elite coaches in Central PA... teaching us not just about wrestling, and competition, but life's lessons.
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DL - You also played football at West York - which sport was your favorite, and why?
BS - I truly loved football... but, because I was only 165lbs. in my senior year, I was not as much of a force as I wanted to be.  We had a good team as I believe we finished with 6 wins and 4 losses.  I'd say wrestling would be my favorite because of the success I had with it and it enabled me to continue it in college.  Just knowing that it's only you against the other guy was such an adrenalin rush.  You have to have major self esteem, self respect and discipline to wrestle because there is no one else out there to help you.  It can be very humbling, too... but in the end, win or lose, you can always hold your head high because you were out there, working - while other kids are home playing video games or watching TV.
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DL - You decided to attend East Stroudsburg State after graduating from West York.  Why did you choose ESU?  And, you earned a wrestling letter in 1980 under the late ESU head coach, Bob Dalling... and assistant Gary Kessel - a teammate of mine at East Stroudsburg State.  (Gary was an excellent PSAC wrestler and is presently a top tier NCAA Division One Mat Official).  What are some memories of your days at ESU and wrestling at the Division One level?
BS - I became familiar with ESU through my brother (Mike) and got to know Coach Clyde "Red" Witman, then... Coach Bob Dalling and Coach Gary Kessel.  It seemed a natural fit, but what I didn't know was that they would go from DII to DI postseason in 1976-77 (1st year as an EIWA member) - and that is a huge jump!  I was able to compete as a freshman as we were still wrestling many DII schools in dual meets, but as we started the season in 1980, we were competing against more and more DI schools per the dual meets like Oklahoma State, NC State, Tennessee... amongst others.  I was not in that "league" - so after my 2nd season - my competitive wrestling career was over.  I enjoyed traveling to the other schools - going to NC State and East Carolina was great, except I had to drop a weight class at the last minute and lose 13lbs. in 3 days, then got pounded on!
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DL - We've all heard the adage - "Hindsight is always 20-20"... - let me ask you this about fulfilling Bruce Stambaugh's athletic goals.  While at West York, I wish I would have...???
BS - given up on baseball and tried out for the West York golf team!!  At least I could hit that white ball... because it wasn't moving!
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DL - The same as above... While at ESU, I wish I would have...???
BS - tried out for the college golf team after finishing my wrestling career.   I worked as an official in the ESU Intramural Sports Program, so I spent a lot of time in ESU's Koehler Fieldhouse and would check the university's golf teams' 9-hole practice scores every day. ESU golfers were posting...42's, 39's, 41's, so I'm thinking I can shoot those scores with out ANY practice.  I would come home for Thanksgiving and while playing at Briarwood GC, I would shoot a 39 or 40, no problem.  I talked about it all the time but never pursued it.
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DL - In your view, how are sports, and specifically wrestling, different now than when you wrestled at West York and East Stroudsburg State?  What are your thoughts on participating in multiple sports or... concentrating on just one sport while in high school?
BS - I think kids today are "over-protected" by concerned parents, but after what happened on 9/11 - I can understand why.  It's rare to find those kids that live for sports.  I loved athletics, believe in athletics, and
push sports on all children I meet, especially wrestling.  It's like the "forgotten" sport (wrestling)!  I'm always looking for wrestlers and ask many boys to give it a try.  Great wrestlers come in all shapes and sizes - you never know when a boy will fall in love with the sport of wrestling the way we all have.  I never recommend a child limit themselves to only one sport.  As I mentioned above, my youngest son is a three sport varsity letter-winner... and as long as he is happy competing and can keep his grades up, he has our full support.
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DL - What would you tell a group of West York Wrestlers today... with regards to helping them per the physical and mental preparation needed for this grueling sport?
BS - "Mental Toughness" is the key.  No wrestler is mentally weak because it takes that toughness just to go out there and compete man-on-man.  It starts with being mentally tough, then the learning process begins.  I feel, also... to become a good wrestler - it takes quickness, strength and balance.  Then comes stamina.  It is
a long process and one can't be afraid of the commitment.
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DL - When is your next planned "golf event?"
BS - Perry Tallman, my friend Jeff Miller and I are always planning our next golf adventure. We went to Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach & Trump National to mention a few... and, now we are looking into Pinehurst.  There is always the "Fat Man" Tournament in Las Vegas, NV where the minimum weight for your foursome is 1,000 lbs.  We need a 4th, and unfortunately (or fortunately) he doesn't have to be very large for us to "make weight!"
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DL - Bruce, are you planning to attend West York Wrestling's Alumni Night this season?  Right now, it's scheduled for January 12, 2012 (Thursday) against Kennard Dale HS and the great sophomore sensation, 2011 PIAA State Champion Chance Marsteller.  Details will follow.
BS - I'm marking my calendar and will make every attempt to be there and support West York Wrestling and
all of the current wrestlers.  I'm trying to keep up with Billy Randt's college career (Lock Haven University) ever since our undefeated '78 Team was honored in 2009 at the high school.  I do wish this year's team - SUCCESS.

LHU's Billy Randt (149lbs.)
2011-12 Lock Haven University Wrestling
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DL - Bruce, I want to thank you for sharing some great memories with the westyorkwrestlingalumni.com website readers!
BS - Don, as always... you do such a great job with this website and I'm honored to be part of this publication - but even more honored to be part of such a great fraternity.  Thank you!
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∙ You can e-mail Bruce Stambaugh HERE! & Don Lehman HERE!
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▪ 1977-78 West York Senior - Bruce Stambaugh.
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1977-'78 York Dispatch YCIAA All-County Wrestling Team.
Along with Ken Shorts, Rod Stough and Coach of the Year - JT Toggas,
WY's Bruce Stambaugh is named to YD 1st Team (3rd from left bottom).
▪ Bruce Stambaugh Career Record (40-16) per YD Article.
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▪ Team C&C Stambaugh @ Cool Creek GC.
The 2009 Bulldog Open Champions @ -9 (61)
(L-R) Brad Shaffer, Dr. Perry Tallman, Bruce Stambaugh, Jeff Miller.
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▪ The 2011 Bulldog Open Champions (-11) @ Honey Run GC.
Seated (L-R) Bruce Stambaugh, Jeff Miller.
Back (L-R) Scott Goodwill, Dr. Perry Tallman.
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 Bruce Stambaugh is listed on an all-time team...
 ▪ West York Wrestling Alumni.com All-Time Team
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 ▪ WEST YORK WRESTLING ALUMNI GOLF PAGE... HERE!
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 ESU NCAA WRESTLING
  West York/ESU Wrestling Letters (10) Click Here!
 ▪ Click - ESU "All-Time" Wrestling Letterwinners!
 ▪ West York's Alumni Mat College Page - Click Here!
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The 1978 WY Team Reunion

▪ 1/10/09 - click... Get Together
West York 1977-78 Championship Team... Reunion
Front (L-R) Don Botterbusch, Bruce Stambaugh, Rod Stough, John Silar.
Back (L-R) Larry Gay, Barry Gay, Asst. Coach Don Lehman, Randy Blasdell,
Dave Stram, Head Coach John T. Toggas, Asst. Coach John Sprenkle.
▪ Photo by Kevin Drawbaugh of JK Images
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www.westyorkwrestlingalumni.com articles
"Website Worth A View!" by Larry A. Hicks
"click"... Larry A. Hicks York Dispatch Article 1/27/11
"Son Follows In Father's Footsteps!" by Larry A. Hicks
"click"... Larry A. Hicks York Dispatch Article 2/28/13
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RBR's Dillon Stambaugh (top)
Stambaugh is a throwback
three-sport standout for RBR
by Matthew Rocco... Atlanticville News - Read ▪ HERE!
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Other Archived Q & A Interviews by Don Lehman:
Billy Randt, Rod Stough, Jeff Wolfe, Keith "KRW" Warehime, Randy Blasdell,
David Maday & Jason Abel Turnbull, Mary Jane & John T. Toggas, Jon Trenge,
Wilmer Pressel, Dr. Bill Welker, Mike Stambaugh, Todd Reynolds, Gary Narber,
Fred & Matt Callahan, K.C. McCleary, Brian Kuntz, Dr. Perry Tallman, Charlie Jacobs,
Skip Martin, Justin Wilkins, John Reiber, Eric-Todd Lehman & more!.