Wrestling | 12/19/2024 9:04:00 AM

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Bloomsburg athletics family mourns the passing of legendary wrestling head coach Roger Sanders.
 
"Coach Sanders was synonymous with success at Bloomsburg. He helped to set the standard of what Bloomsburg Wrestling should be and left an incredible legacy here on the hill and with the Huskies he developed," said director of athletics, Dr. Michael McFarland.
 
Sanders passed away Wednesday afternoon, December 18, 2024, at the Sunset Ridge Nursing Center in Scott Township. Arrangements are being finalized for a Monday, December 23, 2024 service at St. Columba Church by the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home, Bloomsburg.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday December 23, 2024 at 11 a.m. in St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron St., Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Rev. Richard J. Mowery, officiating. Interment will follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy. Viewing on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at the Dean W. Kriner Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Roger Sanders scholarship at the Bloomsburg University Foundation, 50 E. Main St., 4th Floor, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or online at: giving.bloomu.edu/donate.
 
"Coach was a true example of Bloomsburg wrestling and his presence is still felt in the wrestling room," said University President, Dr. Bashar Hanna. "Coach Sanders will be dearly missed by not only the Husky wrestling family, but the entire university community."
 
Sanders, a 2014 inductee into the Bloomsburg Hall of Fame, was the Huskies head wrestling coach for 21 years finishing with a record of 250-104-8. In 26 years of coaching his overall record was 300-122-9, including a five-year stint at New York University. He was chosen as Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference "Coach of the Year" in 1984-85.

Sanders guided his teams to two first-place, four second-place, and five third-place finishes in the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL). Bloomsburg won the EWL championship in 1980-81 and 1992-93, Sanders' final season as head coach.  He also led Bloomsburg to eight first-place and four second-place finishes in the PSAC.  His 1987 team finished fifth in the NCAA Division I Championships, the highest finish in school history.

Sanders coached eight Huskies to 13 NCAA Division I All-American finishes with Floyd "Shorty" Hitchcock winning a 177-pound crown in 1974 and Rick Bonomo winning the 118-pound titles in 1985, 86, and 87. Other All-Americans under Sanders include Randy Watts, sixth at 150 lbs. in 1975; Dominic DiGioacchino, fifth at 167 lbs. in 1979; Tony Caravella, seventh at 150 lbs. in 1980; Don Reese, second at 134 lbs. in 1982; Rocky Bonomo, eighth at 126 lbs. in 1986 and fourth in 1987; Dave Morgan, third at 150 lbs. in 1988 and sixth in 1989; and Brad Rozanski, eighth at 134 lbs. in 1992. Sanders also led Bloomsburg wrestlers to 27 EWL titles and 48 PSAC championships.
 
"Coach Sanders was Bloomsburg Wreslting," head coach John Stutzman reflected. "He touched the hearts of many throughout his lifetime as a coach, administrator, mentor, and most importantly as a friend."

A native of Fairless Hills, Sanders is a 1964 graduate of West Chester University. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from Ball State University. While in college, Sanders won three Middle Atlantic University Division Championships and an NCAA College Division Championship. He has the distinguished accomplishment of never losing a dual meet in college.

In addition to his responsibilities as head coach, Sanders was a member of the school's health and physical education staff. He also served as Bloomsburg's athletic director for five years, where he was in charge of the Huskies' 18 varsity sports. Sanders also coached the East team in the annual East-West All Star match in 1985. He was president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (1987-1991) and served as the Wrestling Coordinator for the United States Association for Blind Athletes.

Coach Sanders has been awarded the Lifetime of Service Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and is a member of the West Chester University Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Eastern Wrestling League Hall of Fame in 2004. He was inducted into the Pennsbury High School Hall of Fame in 2003. In 1996 he was selected as a West Chester University Distinguished Alumnus.
 
Sanders is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their two daughters, Julie and Traci, and five grandchildren.