Al has been involved with USA Wrestling since its early years of existence, going back to the formation of the organization as the U.S. Wrestling Federation. He has served in many capacities within USA Wrestling, including working on the national staff, serving as a state chairperson, serving as a member of the national coaching staff and working with state and regional teams and programs.
He was a high school wrestling coach with the successful Massapequa team from 1962-1977, helping build one of the most successful programs in Nassau County and within the state. He served two years at the head wrestling coach at Hofstra University, a Div. I program located in Hempstead, N.Y.
Bevilacqua was a member of the USA Wrestling National Coaching staff from 1983-1991, coaching top wrestlers on all levels. He served as a coach for the U.S. teams at the Junior World Championships, the Espoir World Championships and the World Cup. He also was the coach for the U.S. team that competed in the Tbilisi Championships in the former Soviet Union in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988. He was the USA Wrestling State Chairperson for New York from 1971-1979, and was the USA Wrestling Eastern Developmental Director from 1972-1979. Bevilacqua was a member of USA Wrestling's Board of Directors from 1972 - 1986.
He also served for two years as an executive on the national staff for the U.S. Wrestling Federation, working as Assistant Director at the Stillwater, Okla. national headquarters from 1978-1980. The USWF received national governing body status for wrestling in 1983 and became USA Wrestling.
Bevilacqua received his bachelor's degree from New York University, where he was a member of the wrestling team from 1957-1961. He competed with the New York Athletic Club team from 1960-1963. He received his masters degree from Queens College, and was in the doctoral program at New York University.
Bevilacqua served as an educator with the Massapequa Public Schools from 1961 - 1994. He was an Assistant Director of the National High School Coaches Association from 1996-1999. He has also been involved in other business activities that have impacted the wrestling community.
He was USA Wrestling's Coach of the Year in 1983. He has received a Lifetime Service Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and has received a Special Service Award from U.S. Wrestling Federation. Among the Halls of Fame which he has been inducted are the New York State Wrestling Hall of Fame , the New York University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Massapequa High School Hall of Fame.
Al was given the Order of Merit in 2012 by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, joining his son Christopher who was awarded the Outstanding American Award. It was the first time a father & son were inducted in the same year.
Positions and Awards
Positions and Awards
- Massapequa High School Coach
- Hofstra University Coach
- USA Wrestling National Coach
- Junior World Team Coach
- Tbilisi Games Coach
- New York State Chairperson for USA Wrestling
- Asst. Director - National High School Wrestling Coaches Association
- USA Wrestling Eastern Development Director
- USA Wrestling Board of Directors
- USA Wrestling Coach of the Year
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
- US Wrestling Federation Vice President
- US Wrestling Federation Special Service Award
- Metropolitan Wrestling Association Man of the Year
- Wrestling USA Magazine Man of the Year
- WIN Magazine Impact Award Winner
- Endless Camps & Clinics
- Founder- Beat the Streets Wrestling Program
