| History of Penn State Boxing
1918-54 - First formal collegiate boxing organization - known then
as, International Boxing Association of America
Leo Houck, who led the Nittany Lions to a NCAA title in 1932 and
seven Intercollegiate (Eastern) Boxing Association title in 26 years
as coach.
During the Houck years the match between Penn State and Navy at
Annapolis was a major rivalry. The coming of the Penn State Boxing
team was an event that filled Navy's ancient battle shed to
overflowing amounts. Formal attire was a "must". From this formal
attire became a commonplace at State College meets.
Steve Hamas, the first and possibly the only Nittany Lion athlete
ever to win 5 letters in a single year. In addition to winning the
IBA Heavyweight title, Hamas competed in track, lacrosse, football,
and basketball in 1929, his senior year.
Billy Soose, never an NCAA champ at Penn State but a world
middleweight king in 1941, when he won a decision over defending
champ Ken Overlin in New York.
In 1954 collegiate boxing stopped. This after fielding a team for 36
years.
The National Collegiate Boxing Association was established. The
first intercollegiate boxing bout held at Penn State was against
Lock Haven.
The N.C.B.A was started in 1975 by Phil Nemir, Al McChesney, and
Dean Plemons
There are currently 24 teams in three regions Northeast/Midwest/West
Regional tournaments are held in March, followed by the National
Championships in April. This produces 12 individual champions, and a
team champion.
2007 PSU Boxing featured in The Daily Collegian
Penn State National Champions
1923-1949 PSU Boxing Coach Leo Houck
1932- Dave Stoop-118lbs Alfred Lewis-148lbs
1933-1935- No Tournaments Held (Depression)
1936- Frank Goldman
1937- No National Champion
1938- No National Champion
1939- No National Champion
1940- No National Champion
1941- Paul Scally 175lbs
1942- No National Champion
1943- No National Champion
1944-46- No Tournaments Held WWII
1947- Glenn Hawthorne 147lbs
1948-1984 PSU Boxing Coach Ed Sulkowski
1948- No National Champion
1949- No National Champion
1950- Chuck Dranzenovich- Hwt.
1951- No National Champion
1952- No National Champion
1953- No National Champion
1954- Adam Kois 178lbs
1955-60- Boxing Dropped
1961-72- Intramural Boxing
1973-75- (ECBA) Club Boxing
The National Collegiate Boxing Association was founded in 1976 by
Dean C. Plemmons, Alan E. Mchesney, and Phillip Nemir. In 1976 the
first N.C.B.A. championship was held in Reno Nevada.
1976- Mike Benelli 156lbs
1977- Jim Restauri 185lbs
1978- Jim Restauri 190lbs
1979- Jim Restauri 190lbs
1980- No National Champion
1981- Mark Jayne 132lbs
1982- No National Champion
1983-1987 PSU Boxing Coach Jim Harris
1983- No National Champion
1984- Mark Jayne 132lbs 1985- No National Champion
1986- No National Champion
1987- No National Champion
1988-1990 PSU Boxing Coach Craig Harpster
1988- No National Champion
1989- No National Champion
1990- Kelly Cordes 132lbs Sterlen Barr 139lbs Matt Osbourne 190lbs
1991-2003 PSU Boxing Coach Bill Wrable
1991- No National Champion
1992- No National Champion
1993- No National Champion
1994- Bryan Kirk 132lbs
1995- Mike Francis 147lbs
1996- Paul Maginnis 190lbs
1997- No National Champion
1998- Tim Scott 195lbs; Christy Wilcox 125lbs
1999- Misha Kirsonev 132lbs; Christy Wilcox 125lbs
2000- No National Champion
2001- Nick Bair 132lbs; Alex Komlev 156lbs; Rick Slater Hvywt
2002- Alex Komlev 156lbs
2003- Luke Runion Hvywt; Eric Bradley Hvywt
2004- PSU Boxing Coach Alex Komlev
2004- No National Championship
2005- No National Championship
2006 - PSU Boxing Coach William Bolar
2007 - 2009 PSU Boxing Coach Jack Rohrabaugh
2007- Mory Diane (175lbs)
2008- No National Champion
The above information is from the NCAA History and Records of
National Collegiate Championships, 1963. Amateur Boxing Magazine
1976 and 1977. The digital Collegian, Centre Daily Times, Town and
Gown (T&G) June 1985, and former national Champions. Thanks to Jim
Restauri for the completion of this list.
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