Hempstead, NY - Hofstra Athletics mourns the passing of former Wrestling Coach Al Bevilacqua, who passed away August 10 at the age of 85.

Bevilacqua served as Hofstra's head wrestling coach during the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons, recording a 19-13-2 record and a .588 winning percentage. His winning percentage ranks fourth all-time at Hofstra. During his two seasons, Bevilacqua sent seven wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. 

Prior to his Hofstra tenure, Bevilacqua was an accomplished coach at Massapequa High School, where he led the Chiefs to their first-ever Nassau County title. He was also involved with USA Wrestling and served as a coach and also served on its board of directors. In 1990, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Long Island Chapter and was named USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 2005. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum and received the organization's Order of Merit. In addition to his work on the scholastic, collegiate, and national wrestling scenes, Bevilacqua was also one of the founders of the Beat the Streets New York City wrestling program.

Bevilacqua is survived by sisters, Elaine and Bonnie; children, Christopher (Kristen), Barbara (Joe), Kevin (Elyse), Michael (Stacey), Nora (Ryan), and Erin (Alex); 18 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. He will be waked at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 13 (2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.). A funeral mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Thursday, August 14 at 10 a.m. Following mass, Bevilacqua will be buried at the Amityville Cemetery.