BLOOMSBURG, Pa – Legendary wrestling coach Roger Sanders, a graduate of West Chester University in 1967, Who won three Middle Atlantic University Division Championships and an NCAA College Division Championship, has died. He was 82.
Beyond his professional life, Sanders was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their two daughters, Julie and Traci, as well as five grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy, and those who knew him well often spoke of the deep love and care he had for them.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of legendary wrestling coach Roger Sanders passing, who died on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Sunset Ridge Nursing Center in Scott Township. Sanders was not just a coach; he was the heart of Bloomsburg wrestling for over two decades.
“Coach Sanders was synonymous with success at Bloomsburg. He helped set the standard of what Bloomsburg Wrestling should be and left an incredible legacy here on the hill and with the Huskies he developed,” said Dr. Michael McFarland, Bloomsburg’s director of athletics.
Arrangements are being made for a memorial service on Monday, December 23, 2024, at St. Columba Church, under the care of Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home. The service will be a time for the university and wrestling communities, along with his family and friends, to come together and celebrate the life of a man who meant so much to so many.
Sanders’ coaching career at Bloomsburg spanned 21 years, during which he amassed a remarkable record of 250-104-8. Across his 26 years in coaching, including a five-year stint at New York University, Sanders achieved a total record of 300-122-9. His success earned him the title of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Coach of the Year in the 1984-85 season.
Under his guidance, Bloomsburg wrestling flourished. His teams captured two Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) championships, in 1980-81 and in 1992-93, Sanders’ final season as head coach. His athletes also excelled individually, with eight wrestlers earning 13 NCAA Division I All-American honors during his tenure. Notable among them were Floyd “Shorty” Hitchcock, who won the 177-pound NCAA crown in 1974, and Rick Bonomo, who secured three consecutive 118-pound titles from 1985 to 1987.
University President, Dr. Bashar Hanna, shared his sentiments about Sanders’ legacy: “Coach was a true example of Bloomsburg wrestling, and his presence is still felt in the wrestling room. Coach Sanders will be dearly missed by not only the Husky wrestling family, but the entire university community.”
Sanders’ contributions went far beyond the mat. In addition to coaching, he served as Bloomsburg’s athletic director for five years, overseeing the university’s 18 varsity sports. He also served on the health and physical education staff, sharing his expertise and passion for physical wellness with students. His leadership extended to the national wrestling community, where he served as president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association from 1987 to 1991 and was the Wrestling Coordinator for the United States Association for Blind Athletes.
Roger Sanders was widely recognized for his lifetime of dedication to wrestling. His accolades include being inducted into the Bloomsburg Hall of Fame in 2014, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Eastern Wrestling League Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also honored with the prestigious Lifetime of Service Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Born in Fairless Hills, Sanders was a 1964 graduate of West Chester University, where he also left his mark as a student-athlete. He won three Middle Atlantic University Division Championships and an NCAA College Division Championship, all while maintaining an undefeated record in dual meets throughout his college career.
Roger Sanders is remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but for the profound impact he had on those around him. Bloomsburg head coach John Stutzman, a colleague and mentee of Sanders, reflected, “Coach Sanders was Bloomsburg wrestling. He touched the hearts of many throughout his lifetime as a coach, administrator, mentor, and most importantly, as a friend.”
As the Bloomsburg community prepares to honor Coach Sanders’ life, his legacy will live on in the many athletes he coached, the lives he touched, and the values he instilled in all who had the privilege of knowing him.