Tony Gizoni was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this year (Photo/Larry Slater)Funeral services have been announced for Tony Gizoni, two-time NCAA wrestling champ for Waynesburg College who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame just two months ago, who passed away Friday, July 28. He was 87.
Memorial Mass for Victor A. Gizoni will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church, 4571 John R. Road, Troy, Mich., with visitation at church that morning beginning at 9 a.m. Memorial tributes may be made to Gleaners Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207.
Gizoni wrestled for Washington High School in Washington, Pa. where he became the fourth wrestler in state history to win three state championships, capturing the title at 101 pounds in 1946, at 103 pounds in 1947 and at 112 pounds in 1948.
Gizoni continued his academic and athletic career in southwest Pennsylvania at Waynesburg College, where won back-to-back NCAA Division I championships, first in 1950 at 121 pounds -- earning Outstanding Wrestler honors that year -- then at 123 pounds at the 1951 NCAAs. He was declared ineligible as a senior due to competing in dual meets and tournaments that were not approved by the NCAA Rules Committee. Gizoni finished his college career with a 52-0 record, and his overall record for high school and college was 120-3-1 with the three losses and the tie occurring in his freshman year of high school.
A lasting legacy: Gizoni had a move he used for a come-from-behind win at the NCAAs, incorporating hand control, back pressure and a hip heist to get a reversal and gain the upper hand in a tight match, which remains known as the "Gizoni Special" 65 years later.
After concluding his wrestling career, Gizoni served in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star for bravery in combat.
In November 2016, Tony Gizoni was one of four former wrestlers announced for induction as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. The induction ceremony was held in early June 2017 in Stillwater.
Speaking for the Hall, Executive Director Lee Roy Smith said, "We are sorry to hear of the passing of Tony (Babe) Gizoni, but also grateful that he and his family were able to be here in June when he was inducted as a Distinguished Member. Tony was a tremendous wrestler, a veteran, an educator and a coach who will forever be immortalized in our sport through his signature move, the Gizoni Special."
Tom Elling, dean of wrestling journalists in the Keystone State, told InterMat, "Tony Gizoni was a true Pennsylvania wrestling legend. Not only does a wrestling move exist that still bears his name, but Tony's mat prowess was storied with the very best Pennsylvania and the nation had to offer. He was not a large man in stature, but he was, indeed, one of the most prominent men ever to grace a horsehair mat in our wrestling fraternity. Largely because of him, Waynesburg became a town and collegiate name that was synonymous with wrestling."
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