Our Legacy: From Vision to the Mat

The New Milford Wrestling Foundation was born from a simple, powerful conviction: our athletes deserve the best.

In 2019, a group of dedicated parents looked at our program and dared to ask, "What could be?" What started as a series of kitchen-table discussions soon evolved into a mission fueled by a love for the sport and a deep commitment to the children of our community. Through tireless planning and the careful crafting of our foundation’s pillars, founders Keith Totaro and John DaCosta turned that vision into a reality.

Alongside our founding board—Emily Totaro, Anna Maria DaCosta, Paige Ryan, Robert D’Ambrosio, Rich Korzelius, and Leigh Hartung—they built the framework that supports New Milford wrestling today.

Our Milestones

We hit the ground running with two non-negotiable goals:

1. Total Support: Ensuring every wrestler, from Recreation through High School, has the resources they need to succeed.

2. Elite Standards: Equipping our athletes with state-of-the-art equipment, leading to the acquisition of our first professional mat in 2022 and our second in 2026.

Under the leadership of our first President, Emily Totaro (2019–2022), and our current President, Jasen Wright, we have transitioned from dreaming about "what could be" to celebrating "what is." We are no longer just a program; we are a testament to what a community can achieve when it stands together.

Governance & Leadership

The New Milford Wrestling Foundation operates as a proud New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation. Our strength lies in a collaborative leadership model designed to keep the sport’s best interests at the forefront.

• The Board of Trustees: The Foundation is governed by ten dedicated Trustees who oversee the organization’s mission and growth.

• A Unified Front: To ensure total alignment between the Foundation and the mats, the New Milford High School Head Wrestling Coach and the New Milford Head Recreational Wrestling Coach (or their designees) hold permanent seats on the Board.

• Fiscal Integrity: Leadership includes a designated Treasurer, serving a minimum one-year term to ensure transparency and sustainability.

Our bylaws govern the cadence of our leadership, ensuring that while faces may change, the mission of the New Milford Wrestling Foundation remains unshakable.

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We don't just build wrestlers; we build a legacy of excellence, one match at a time.

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