One of the major forces behind scholastic wrestling's growth in Western New York, Norman E. Foster '53 was a standout multi-sport athlete at Cortland. The Portville, N.Y., native served in the U.S. Marines before teaching physical education and coaching football, track and wrestling at Iroquois Central School in Elma, N.Y., from 1955-65. His wrestling teams won a New York State record 150 consecutive matches and eight straight Section Six titles. He moved on to the Amherst School District as a physical education teacher and coach from 1965 until his retirement in 1991.
The first president of the Western New York Wrestling Coaches Association, Foster was inducted into the Halls of Fame for New York State Wrestling, Iroquois Central and the National Wrestling New York State Chapter. He was named SUNY Cortland Western New York Chapter 2000 Alum of the Year.
At Cortland, Foster was the House of Delegates president in 1952-53. He was team captain and earned the Red Letter in football. He also competed in lacrosse, wrestling and track. A Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity officer, Foster earned the Outstanding Senior Physical Education Student Award. He was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities as a junior. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1953.
In 1982, Foster was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. His service includes being the Catholic chaplain at a residential facility for court-assigned young persons as well as ministry work at three state correctional facilities. He has been a teacher/catechist for religious education and sacramental programs at parishes in Elma, Amherst and Clarence, N.Y.
He and his wife, Nancy, have six children: Michael, Pamela, Daniel, Norman Jr., and Patrick; and 15 grandchildren.
UPDATE- March, 2015: Norman continues to volunteer his time at the Chaplain at Buffalo General Hospital, the Highpoint Nursing Home, and three other nursing homes in the area.
UPDATE: Norman passed away on Nov. 14, 2023, at age 92.
