Wesleyan University

John Biddiscombe, athletics director at Wesleyan University since 1988 and a member of the athletics department since 1974, was inducted into the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Hall of Fame, it was announced Sunday at the annual NECCWA tournament hosted by WPI.

One of seven inductees and the only former coach among the seven individuals honored (the other six being former wrestlers from the 1980s and 1990s), Biddiscombe came to Wesleyan from Muhlenberg College in 1974 and assumed head coaching responsibilities in wrestling while also assisting in both football and track. Head wrestling coach through the 1988-89 season, Biddiscombe compiled a record of 128-85-3 over 15 seasons. His squad captured a NECCWA team title in 1983-84 after posting a dual-match record of 14-2-1. During the three seasons from 1981 to 1984, the Cardinals finished second in the NECCWA twice along with the team victory and posted a cumulative dual-match record of 36-9-1.

Biddiscombe was twice selected as New England wrestling coach of the year, first in 1984 and again in 1989. In 1991 he was named Man of the Year in NECCWA wrestling.

Each year, up to six athletes and one or two non-competitors are added to the NECCWA Hall of Fame. The candidates are nominated and voted upon by the 15 head coaches of the member colleges, which include Bridgewater State, Coast Guard, Johnson & Wales, M.I.T., Norwich, Plymouth St., R.I.C., Roger Williams, Southern Maine, Springfield, Trinity, Wesleyan, W.N.E.C., Williams and WPI.

In his 16th year as Wesleyan's AD, Biddiscombe has been very active with the NCAA at the national level, having served as the chair of the Division III Management Council from 1998-2000 and was also a member of the NCAA Executive Committee. The National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics (NACDA) recognized him as Division III Athletic Director of Year for the Northeast region in 1999-2000.

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