In this episode, we have a pair of Springfield heavyweight alumni from two different generations of the Pride’s storied program, and they just so happened to be brothers! 

Ron '11 and Joe '20 Fusco have etched their legacy on Alden Street with not only their dominance on the mat, but with their larger than life personalities that captures the attention and respect of their peers. 

Ron Fusco currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Peter Reilly Elementary in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 2011, Ron led Springfield to a New England Wrestling Association Team Championship after winning gold at Heavyweight and qualifying for NCAAs under Hall of Fame Coach, Daryl Arroyo. 

Nearly a decade later, younger brother, Joe Fusco followed in Ron’s footsteps and created a name for himself under the Holder era by eclipsing two berths to the NCAA Championships, and becoming the first four-time NWCA Scholar All-American in program history. Since August, Joe has been an officer in the Nashua Police Department in Nashua, New Hampshire. 

Like, share, or drop a review on the PrideCast to continue to expand the reach of the incredible stories of the Pride's program! 

THE World’s Strongest Gay, Professional Strongman, and Springfield College alumnus, Rob Kearney joins the PrideCast! Kearney talks about his introduction and love for the sport of strongman, how overcoming a recent injury has created time for more coaching and LGBTQ+ advocacy, the liberating nature of publicly coming out, the mentality that has separated him as one of the strongest men in the world, and his impactful experience at Springfield College as an Athletic Training student.

Rob Kearney has built loyalty among his followers because of his authentic personality and the inside look he provides on how he trains to be among one of the world's strongest men. Click the following link for Kearney's YouTube Channel: World's Strongest Gay

Kearney is an American Professional Strongman as well as the first and only openly gay professional strongman in the world. His ascent in the professional strongman world is nothing short of exceptional. He took 2nd place at America's Strongest Man in 2014 and 2015. After competing at u105 kilos World Strongest Man in 2016, Rob decided to compete in the Heavyweight class where he took 1st place in the 2016 Log Lift World Championships and has gone on to compete at Worlds Strongest Man, is a Giants Live Champion (North American Open 2017) as well as an Arnold International World Series Champion that took place in Australia in 2019. Rob also currently holds the American Log Press Record of 476lbs (216kg).

Along with Strongman, Rob and his Husband Joey have become advocates for the LGBTQ+ community especially in the world of fitness and strength sports. 

Kearney was also featured on the Joe Rogan Experience back in January 2020 (#1416 with Rob Kearney). 

Rob Kearney's Website and social media handles: Kearney Power | Instagram | Twitter

The leader of the Pride's historic program, Jason Holder hops on the PrideCast to catch up on all things Springfield Wrestling. (Read Coach Holder's entire bio by clicking the following link: Head Coach, Jason Holder)

A former standout at Boston University, the TImberlane, New Hampshire native was a four-year starter and four-year captain of the wrestling team, and an NCAA Division I National Qualifier in 2003.

Coach Holder enters his 10th season as the head wrestling coach and an assistant professor within the Springfield College Department of Physical Education and Health Education for the 2020-2021 campaign. Holder's leadership has sustained the standard of excellence that comes with the Pride's storied lineage. 

In 2020, Holder was chosen as the NCAA Division III Northeast Region Co-Coach of the Year as he helped Springfield to a fourth-place finish as a team, produced four national qualifiers, and had the sixth-best team grade point average in the nation. For his efforts, Holder was named the Massachusetts Chapter Hall of Fame Coach of the Year, and the New England Wrestling Association Coach of the Year. 

In this episode, Coach Holder discusses his coaching philosophy, the importance of the three C's (confidence, composure, and courage), and developing a high performance culture. 

One of the earliest and most accomplished wrestlers of the Legendary Doug Parker era is Oneida, New York native, Rick Moyer '62. Rick Moyer has left an indelible impact on the wrestling community as a wrestler, coach, administrator, and above all, mentor. 

Coach Moyer joins the PrideCast to discuss his transformation under Doug Parker, the rich tradition of Springfield Wrestling, the lessons he's learned as a coach and educator, and the memories of being teammates and roommates with Japan Olympic Team Member and Benihana founder, Hiraoki Aoki. 

A standout for the Pride, Moyer was undefeated in varsity dual meets (36-0) in his three years of competition from 1959-62, named the Outstanding Wrestler in the New England Championships, and a key contributor to four New England Team Championships. A co-captain 1961-62, Moyer was held in high regard among his peers as the President of the Varsity "S" Club. 

Moyer served as a graduate assistant with Doug Parker and the Pride from 1962-63 while earning his Master's. After a one year stint with his alma mater, Moyer ventured to Amityville, Long Island, where he served as the Head Wrestling Coach at Amityville from 1963-1967. Following a successful run at Amityville, Moyer moved back to New England and assumed the role as Head Coach at Wayland in Massachusetts. After coaching at Wayland for over 30 years and serving as the Athletic Director for 10 years, Rick retired in 1997 with 478 dual meet wins. He also served as the President of the National Federation of High School Coaches and Officials. For his decades of competing, mentoring, and coaching he was inducted into 6 different halls of fame including the Oneida Athletic, Wayland Athletic, Springfield College Pride Athletic HOF in 1998 and the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002. 

You can connect with Coach Moyer via email at [email protected]

Dr. Michelle Moosbrugger '00 is the Associate Professor, Co-Chair, and Graduate Coordinator of the Physical Education and Health Education Department at Springfield College. Dr. Moosbrugger is in her 13th year as faculty at Springfield and was a swimmer for the Pride under current Coach, John Taffe. 

In this episode, Dr. Moosbrugger unpacks various pedagogical theories that help student-athletes grow and develop. She talks self-determination theory, self-efficacy theory, and her intentional approach on creating a productive community of learners at Springfield.

After graduating from Springfield in 2000, Dr. Moosbrugger went on to earn a master’s in sports psychology from Ithaca College in 2002. Following her time in Ithaca, she went on to be the Head Swimming Coach and Assistant Softball Coach at Wells College before returning to Springfield to earn her doctorate in Physical Education with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2006. Since then, she’s continued Springfield’s tradition of developing great educators and leaders. She has been professionally active and has numerous publications and has presented at multiple national conferences. 

You can connect with Dr. Moosbrugger on Twitter (@moos_michelle) or by email or office phone: [email protected] | (413) 748-3486

1977 Springfield College Wrestling Alumnus, Hall of Fame Coach, and State Championship Coach, Larry "the Legend" Tremblay joins the PrideCast! 

A standout athlete at North Reading High School and Springfield College, Lawrence Tremblay is affectionately known as "the Legend" in the Massachusetts wrestling community. Along with his larger than life persona, his accomplishments place him among the most accomplished high school coaches in the nation. Tremblay is a Hall of Fame Coach and has been recognized by the North Reading Football Hall of Fame, Winchester Wrestling Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame, New England Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

Tremblay currently serves as the head wrestling coach at Melrose, where he led the Red Raiders to an MIAA Division 3 state championship in 2020. Prior to assuming the role at Melrose in 2018, Tremblay was the head coach at Winchester for 38 seasons. 

With four decades of coaching experience under his belt, Tremblay has amassed over 760 wins, over 25 league titles, coached six all-americans, and won four state tournament team titles, and five state dual meet championships. 

In his tenure, Tremblay has coached many wrestlers that have went on to impact the world in numerous ways. Most notably, former Winchester wrestler and current WWE superstar, Kofi Kingston, and Glen Doherty, a former Navy SEAL and Outstanding American Award winner who gave his life in service to our country.

At Springfield, Larry "the Legend" Tremblay wrestled for the Pride's all time winning coach, Doug Parker. Parker was a father-figure to Tremblay and his teammates and molded them to be a powerhouse that won four New England titles. Individually, Tremblay won the 1976 Saratoga Open and qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships twice. 

The Legend also shares how his wrestling experience was positively influenced by Doug Parker's Assistant, Jim Anderson and his teammates. Some of which were Ed Gibbons, Vic Bueller, Thomas Lachiusa, Rich Munroe, Nick Porillo, Doug Leroy,  Sean Bilodeau, Jay Mulligan, Bill Fiore, and Olympic champion Jeff  Blatnick. 

The Diane L. Potter '57 Head Softball Coach at Springfield College, Kate Bowen joins the PrideCast to talk about her unique path of starting as a graduate assistant coach to being tasked with leading the Pride's storied program. 

Bowen enters her fifth season as Head Coach in 2021. Despite the pandemic abruptly ending the 2020 season, Bowen has tallied 81 wins, and has developed multiple all-conference and all-region selections in her first three seasons leading the Pride. In her first season as Head Coach, Bowen led Springfield to the NCAA Tournament. For her efforts, she was recognized as the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England and the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Coach of the Year. 

The Newton, Connecticut native was also a standout student-athlete at Division 1, Manhattan College. As a Jasper, she was valedictorian of her class, one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award for Division 1 Softball, a Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-American, and was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Nominee for NCAA's Woman of the Year Award following her senior year. 

You can connect with Coach Bowen via email or follow her on Twitter! [email protected] | @coachkate_sc

From 2013-2020, Dr. Brett Winston PhD, ATC, LAT has been the designated athletic trainer for Springfield College Wrestling. Dr. Winston joins the PrideCast to discuss the sport from the lens of Athletic Trainer and how wrestling has influenced his growth as a professional. 

Dr. Winston is in his seventh year as an Instructor of Exercise Science and Athletic Training and an Assistant Clinical Education Coordinator in Springfield's renowned Exercise Science and Athletic Training department. The Longwood University graduate is professionally active through regional and state committee work and currently serves as the president for the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts. 

You can connect with Brett at [email protected]

The positive impact of Joel Dearing is felt inside scholastic and intercollegiate athletic departments and volleyball programs across the globe. Affectionately known as 'Coach D', Joel Dearing is a former athletic director, coach, and faculty member. He is currently an author and the owner of Dearing Leadership, LLC, a leadership consulting and coaches education service. With 30 years of coaching experience, Dearing is no stranger to the challenges and dilemmas that leaders and coaches face daily. 

In addition to his coaching success, Coach Dearing is widely heralded for how he has mentored coaches and administrators across the country through his role as faculty in Springfield's renowned Athletic Administration graduate program. 

In this episode, Coach Dearing provides timeless insight and wisdom on what has led him to be regarded as one of the greatest collegiate volleyball coaches of all time. In 2019, Dearing was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Hall of Fame for his coaching success and proven and continued service to the profession. 

Dearing has also authored Volleyball Fundamentals (1st and 2nd ed.) and The Untold Story of William G. Morgan - Inventor of Volleyball. He was honored in 2013 by the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as the Mintonette Medallion of Merit Award honoree and in 2015 was selected to the Springfield College  Athletic Hall of Fame. Dearing has conducted clinics in Ireland, Aruba, Argentina, China, Bermuda, and served as faculty at Springfield College since 1989, and served as Program Director of the Athletic Administration Graduate Program from 2011-2020. 

Find him:  http://coachjoeldearing.com/

Email: [email protected]

Dearing's products and services are being marketed through the help of Rose & Gold (https://roseandgold.com/). 

Former Springfield College Wrestling Assistant Coach (2010-13), and current Head Coach at Sacramento City College, Marques Gales joins the PrideCast to reflect on his time on Alden Street. Gales' stint with the Pride included being an assistant on staff for the final season of Darryl Arroyo's storied tenure, while also coaching six NCAA DIII All-Americans, and an NCAA Champion in Devin Biscaha (2013). Biscaha was the first national champion since the late, Jeff Blatnick (1978, 1979). 

Hailing from the Bay Area, Gales competed for Santa Rosa Junior College from 2005-07 while earning his associate's degree. This afforded him an opportunity to wrestle for the late, Hall of Fame and National Championship Coach, Lars Jensen at San Francisco State University. As a Gator, Gales placed in the region twice, earned scholar all-america honors, and qualified for the NCAA DII Championships. 

The California native earned a Master's in Sport and Exercise Psychology while at Springfield. He went on to become the Head Coach at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) from 2013-19. Gales led the Trinity Bantams to 2 NCAA DIII Qualifiers in his first season as head coach - a feat not accomplished at Trinity since 2001. This successful run led Gales to be one of three coaches to share the 2014 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Rookie Coach of the Year honors. He concluded an impressive stint at Trinity with three NCAA DIII qualifiers and six NWCA Scholar All-Americans. 

Currently, Gales serves as the Head Wrestling Coach and Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at Sacramento City College in California.

If you'd like to connect with Coach Gales, you can email him at [email protected]. 

Episode Breakdown

1:50: Reflecting on wrestling career at Santa Rosa Junior College and San Francisco State University

6:50: The impact of National Championship and Hall of Fame Coach, Lars Jensen 

10:15: How the education and coaching experience at Springfield proved beneficial

15:15: Keys to succeeding mentally in performance

18:00: The type of environment that created six all-americans and an NCAA Champion in three seasons at Springfield

26:30: The impact of Jeff Blatnick's passing on the team 

29:00: First Head Coaching job at Trinity and elevating the position from part-time to full-time

36:45: Favorite Springfield Wrestling Memory

41:30: 1 minute overtime