Chad Sindoni (Photo/Bill Ennis)Sindoni's truck was traveling southbound, then left the west shoulder of the road before hitting a tree. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, the sheriff's office said Wednesday.
Sindoni was a teacher and wrestling coach at Sayre High School in northern Pennsylvania. The school district posted this message on its website: "It is with great sadness that we report the tragic loss of one of coaching staff. Our students, faculty, staff, and entire athletic department are mourning the recent passing of Mr. Chad Sindoni, an assistant wrestling coach. We ask that you keep his immediate family and our Sayre Area School District family of learners and athletes in your continued thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you."
A number of individuals in wrestling weighed in with thoughts and memories of Sindoni as a wrestler, coach and man.
"From my perspective, I got to see him at the PIAA state championships as a wrestler," award-winning Pennsylvania wrestling journalist Tom Elling told InterMat. "He was always prepared and medaled three times. He was 6th in 2005 at 140; 8th in 2006 (152) and a runner-up in 2007 (152). He had a passion for wrestling and shared it with those around him. He was just 26 but wise beyond those years. His untimely passing has left the Pennsylvania wrestling family stunned."
Elling shared this remembrance from former Wrestling USA Photographer of the Year Bill Ennis: "Chad was a driven, hard-working young man who wanted to win a state championship. He was 'crushed' when that dream was never realized, finishing as a runner-up his senior year. He served the Valley as a role model and trainer/coach and worked with wrestlers at both Athens and Sayre, where he currently was coaching with Mark Twigg. I never saw anything like last night's match at Wyalusing. Most of the Athens kids came into the school with red eyes and were crying, along with all the coaches. It was so sad to see -- but the kids were "game" and gave it their all in this key league match."
Sindoni's coaches at Athens High School shared their thoughts on the passing of one of the school's star athletes.
"He not only touched the Athens family, I think he touched the whole wrestling community in the valley is shocked and saddened by the loss," Athens Head Wrestling Coach Dale Jarvis told MyTwinTiers.com.
"He's gone," said Athens assistant coach Shawn Bradley. "Maybe the worst thing is I won't get to see what he could have done because I think he had greatness ahead of him. I loved the kid and we're all going to miss him."
Tim Owen, a staff member of the Blue-White Illustrated wrestling forum , posted this tribute to his late friend:
"The Pennsylvania wrestling world has lost another one of its beloved members way too soon.
"Chad Sindoni, a great wrestler, coach and friend, was killed in a car accident yesterday afternoon. Some of you may remember Chad from his high school career at Athens Area (2004-2007) when he was one of the more dominant wrestlers in District 4. Others may remember Chad from his recruitment. He verbally committed to Penn State to wrestle for Troy Sunderland, but later signed with Edinboro. Chad's career there lasted only a year or two before he returned to our hometown to contribute to our youth and HS wrestling scene as a coach. Before his passing yesterday, Chad coached varsity at Sayre High School and had really started to turn the small school's program around the past couple seasons.
"This is extremely difficult for me to write, as I've known Chad and his wonderful mom and dad for the majority of my life and his two younger sisters for the majority of theirs. We both started wrestling around the same time with our school's youth program, and I still easily recall the countless weekends we spent at tournaments every winter. As we grew older, Chad continued to find more and more success on the mat and to this day, he still is one of the most passionate wrestlers that I've ever met. Then throughout high school, a group of us followed Chad throughout his postseason ventures - all the way to his PIAA final match in Hershey our senior year. It had been his childhood goal to win a state title, but he fell just short to South Allegheny's Phil Sorrentino at 152 pounds that day. I still clearly remember the controversial fleeing the mat call that ended up being the difference in that match.
"I'll never forget the heartbreak from Chad that day, and then the weeks after, but I don't think it can match the heartbreak my hometown feels right now. Chad may have finished as a runner-up in '07, but he is forever a champ here. Rest in peace, bud …"
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