Richard Hastings’ Dedication - his ideals and memory...

Nov. 1, 2005: Newington Wrestling lost one of its own, former High School Coach Richard Hastings, in a tragic house fire. It is fair to say that Coach Hastings WAS Newington Wrestling. His memory lives on in the spirit of the program.

During the time he was coach, and even after he left the program, Coach Hastings was an inspiration to many of Newington's young people. He not only coached the sport of wrestling, but taught his team and all the young people of our town about thinking big, believing in themselves, and about the importance of character. He will be sorely missed.

This web site, and the ideals of our Association, are dedicated to his memory...

Rich Hastings WAS Newington wrestling... It was his vision that started wrestling in the town of Newington back in the late '80's. It was his vision that made wrestling in Newington more than just a sport... it is a phenomenon!

Coach Hastings not only molded a succesful program, but more importantly, all of the students he taught and the wrestlers he coached were molded into better people for having known him. While he cared for every student, he had a special place in his heart for his team - his wrestlers. Whether they were state open champions or a JV guy with only days on the team. he always made you feel special - not only because of who you were, but because you WERE a wrestler.

He always told us to dream and set our dreams high. That is the aspiration of this association. To set our dreams and goals high, and in doing so, honoring the man - Rich Hastings.

Coach taught us was that what makes a person great is how they can overcome adversity. Life comes at you hard an unexpectedly at times. It was the unexpected tragedy in life that took Coach Hastings from us too soon. He taught everyone that family was the most important. Through this Association, we want to create a family of wrestlers and wrestling supporters who keep the legacy of Rich Hastings living on into the future.