John Hangey
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One of the most outstanding wrestlers to ever compete on the Rider mat, John Hangey returned to Rider in 2000 as the program's first full time assistant coach and is currently the associate head coach. Hangey was the part time assistant coach at Rider from 1994-97 before leaving to assume the head coaching position at Bucknell University. In his three year stay at Bucknell, he coached two ECWA champions and two NCAA qualifiers.
A 1993 graduate of Rider, Hangey became the fifth wrestler in Rider history to earn All-America honors by placing fourth in 1993 at 190 pounds. As a fifth year senior, Hangey won five of seven bouts at the NCAAs giving him a career record of 11-6 in the national tournament, the best mark ever by a Bronc. He was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at both the ECWA and Stroudsburg Open tournaments in 1993 and was also named the Rider Male Athlete of the Year that same year. As a post graduate, Hangey won the 190 pound weight class at the prestigious Midlands tournament in 1994 by winning all five of his bouts.
Hangey compiled a career record of 108-24 at Rider, only the fourth Bronc to compile 100 career wins. He won three conference titles and finished runner-up as a freshman despite missing most of that season with a broken ankle.
During the summer of 2002, Hangey was added to the coaching staff for Team NJ for the Junior Nationals that are held in Fargo, ND.
"John brings both enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge to Rider," said Head Coach Gary Taylor. "His head coaching position at Bucknell really broadened his effectiveness in every category. Our wrestlers and the Rider community welcomed him back with open arms."
Hangey is a member of the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000, and has served as the chairman of the Hall of Fame committee since.
