SUNY Cortland Athletics

John “Jack” LaBombard is one of the top high school wrestling coaches in New York state history with more than 390 victories in a storied 38-year career. In 31 years at Queensbury (N.Y.) High School from 1966-97, LaBombard led the school to a 374-62-6 record and coached three state individual champions along with numerous sectional and league champs. He also coached football and baseball and initiated the school’s lacrosse program.

After a brief retirement, he coached wrestling for two seasons at Schuylerville (N.Y.) High School and posted a 16-8 record. In 2008, he helped establish a new wrestling program at Lake George (N.Y.) High School in conjunction with Hadley-Luzerne High School and still serves as co-coach. LaBombard has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the New York State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and the Section Two Wrestling Hall of Fame.

LaBombard graduated from Cortland in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, health and recreation. The Plattsburgh, N.Y., native wrestled for four seasons and played one year of junior varsity lacrosse. As a senior, he won the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) wrestling title at 115 pounds, and he finished third at the New York State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament as a 123-pounder his junior year. Over his final three seasons the Red Dragons recorded a combined 23-5 record and won three SUNYAC crowns.

For 35 years, LaBombard served as a member of the Town of Queensbury Recreation Commission. He was chairman for five years. He’s on the board of directors of the Capital Region Sports Foundation and the New York State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He initiated a committee that brought the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships to Albany in 2002.

LaBombard is the treasurer of the Warren County Safe and Quality Bicycling Organization and is a member of the Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish Council.