Joe Patrovich has led the LIU wrestling program as head coach since its relaunch in 2014.
During his tenure, Patrovich has produced four All-Americans 16 regional place-winners, seven NCAA qualifiers and 25 Academic All-Americans.
Patrovich's student-athletes twice have ranked first nationally in team GPA.
His success has not gone unnoticed. Patrovich has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the New York State Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame.
Patrovich led LIU into Division I competition for the first time during the fall of 2019. Under his guidance, the Sharks defeated their first Division I opponent, Gardner-Webb on Dec. 6 of that year.
During the 2018-19 season, Joe Calderone became the second three-time All-American in program history, with a seventh-place finish at the national championship. Calderone opened the year ranked No. 1 in the naton at 141 pounds and earned his 100th career victory at the Virginia Duals. Nine LIU wrestlers earned Academic All-American honors that the season, leading the program to the second-best team GPA for the season.
In 2016-17, freshman Anthony Sparacio placed sixth in the 133-pound bracket at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. His finish secured him a nod as an All-American, making him the second LIU wrestler (
Joe Calderone) to receive the honor since the program returned in 2014.
Patrovich demonstrated he is one of New York State's most elite prep coaches. He mentored 94 league champions and county place-winners, 30 state qualifiers, 27 state place-winners, 25 county champions, 15 state finalists, eight state champions and 10 All-Americans.
In addition, Patrovich captured 11 league crowns, two county team championships and two state team titles. During his decorated high school coaching career, Patrovich coached at four schools (Plainview JFK, Division, East Meadow and Islip), compiling a 309-86-2 record.
Additionally, his three sons. Joe, Mike and Ryan, reached the senior high school wrestling national finals, making him the only father in the country whose children accomplished such a feat.
Patrovich resides in Oakdale with his wife, Kathy.
