College Wrestling/Martial Arts Grappling For Western Connecticut State University Students

Collegiate, folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling/BJJ Submission Grappling and Pankration

For more information, call Coach Bruhn at (203) 788-0416,

or e-mail Coach Bruhn [email protected]

...Wrestling videos/pictures produced by Western Connecticut State University students...

WCSU WRESTLERS/GRAPPLERS EARN AMERICAN RED CROSS HEROES AWARD

SPORTS UPDATE:The American Red Cross will be present the 2008 American Red Cross Hero in the Good Samaritan Honorable Mention category to all members of WCSU Wrestling/Grappling Group affiliated with Project Two:MMA & Healthy Heart For All Ages April 24, 2008 during a regional Red Cross Heroes Award Ceremony at Amber Room in Danbury, Connecticut starting at 7:30am. It's another fine example of how the youth of today really care about their community and elders and reachout to help whomever they can with physical training to enhance their livestyles in America.

Danbury Regional American Red Cross official Kerri Hah e-mailed me and wrote that the 2008 American Red Cross Hero in the Good Samaritan Honorable Mention category for WCSU Wrestling Team is due to the "team�s compassion has earned them an Honorable Mention, as they truly exemplifies the mission of the American Red Cross � the offer of humanitarian care to those in need. Thank you for nominating WCSU Wrestling Team and writing about their efforts to improve the lifestyles of senor citizens."

The American Red Cross Hero in the Good Samaritan Honorable Mention category recipients include:Max Rinaldi, Oliver DeVre, Matt Soukas, Joey Bongiorno, Justin Biggs, Will Fitzpatrick, Jason Rogerson, Mario Leone, Dr. Christopher Mascetta, Eric Bruhn, Al Bruhn, Travis Wolf.

NAGA RANKS AL BRUHN #1 IN CT; #2 IN NEW ENGLAND & #14 IN USA

WCSU WRESTLING/GRAPPLING TEAM SCORES HONORABLE MENTION AT NAGA 12

Honors go to Oliver DeVre, Joey Bongiorno, Justin Biggs for their outstanding matches as members of WCSU team. Also, special thanks to Eric Bruhn for his teamwork as well.

NAGA announced team honorable mentions November 25, 2007 at its website NAGA FIGHTER

WCSU team is breaking ground in martial arts and will continue to producer the best grapplers and wrestlers. Jason Rodgerson and Will Fitzpatrick are the collegiate wrestling coaches for the team. Oliver DeVre, Joey Bongiorno, Justin Biggs are the student trainers/coaches and Max Rinaldi is the head coach under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Mascetta.

WCSU Team Recommended for Channel 8 WTNH Make A Difference in Connecticut:

The Western Connecticut State University Wrestling & Grappling Team is working to improve the lifestyle of senior citizens. Through a unique mixed martial arts program consisting of boxing, kickboxing, grappling and wrestling, WCSU students and associates volunteer their time to demonstrate how MMA can improve healthy living and the pursuit of a longer healthier life. WCSU members include Oliver DeVre, Joey Bongiorno, Jason Rodgerson, Will Fitzpatrick, Matt Soukas, and associates Max Rinaldi, Justin Biggs, and Eric Bruhn. Dr. Christopher Mascetta is credited with providing wellness programming.

WCSU Team member Oliver DeVre nominated for Channel 3 An Everyday Hero:

21 year old Oliver DeVre, a law enforcement student at Western Connecticut State University, has distinguished himself as an outstanding citizen with the Western Connecticut State University Wrestling and Grappling Team. Oliver provides a unique mixed martial arts program for former cardiac patient Al Bruhn, a volunteer coach with the WCSU team, helping the 62-year old to earn three silver medals during 2007 at NAGA (North American Grappling Association) tournaments. Oliver is a credit to the university, his fellow team mates and senior citizens to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy life. Oliver's daily contact with Mr. Bruhn serves as a reminder the importance of young and old working together for the betterment of one and all. Oliver further advances the cause of how the elderly can depend upon today's youth in a time of need and the assurance that there are future good police officers in our society.

AL BRUHN WINS THIRD SILVER MEDAL AT NAGA 12...

NO-GI Men's Executive Intermediate Light Weight

1st George Sommers

2nd Albert Bruhn WCSU Team

Making sports medical history for Al Bruhn is not something new. He�s been making medical history during the past fours years following a heart attack while on a family vacation in southern California in August 2003. Since then, Al has taken the initiative to loose nearly one hundred pounds and follow in the footsteps of his sons Andrew and Eric and enter the world of martial arts. Both Andrew and Eric are accomplished Tae Kwon Do black belts. Andrew interested his father into submission grappling while a senior at Ridgefield High School along with his classmates.

Over time, Al became more interested in submission grappling and during a martial arts class in Patterson, New York and met Max Rinaldi who produced a mixed martial arts program MMA & Healthy Heart For All Ages. Max is credited with helping Al complete his first book How To Prevent A Heart Attack:Cardio Wrestling slated for publication in 2008.

Submission grappling both GI and NO GI in addition to boxing and kickboxing are the focal points of Max Rinaldi�s martial arts program. In addition to home training with Max in the various forms of mixed martial arts, Al trains with members of his Western Connecticut State University wrestling and grappling group.

NAGA 12 is the latest martial arts event for Al which earned him his third silver medal and claim to fame as a sports medical history maker. In a grueling submission grappling match with a 52 year old Wall Street attorney who was thirty pounds heavier, Al maintained self-control and fought against his opponent like a true champion and did not tap out which is the ultimate objective of all grapplers and instead lost by points giving Al second place and another silver medal.

The NAGA (North American Grappling Association) event was held at Essex College in Newark, New Jersey November 17, 2007. Al was joined by his son Eric, Oliver DeVre, Joey Bongiorno and Justin Biggs all of whom participated in the grappling tournament. Al didn�t gain weight during the NAGA weekend which included team dining at upscale Italian and Korean restaurants.

WCSU GRAPPLER COOKS ASIAN FOOD

WESTERN CT STATE U GRAPPLER OLIVER DEVRE PLAYS CHEF AT UPSCALE NEW YORK CITY KOREAN RESTAURANT NOVEMBER 17, 2007 FOLLOWING HIS MATCH AT NAGA 12 EARLIER IN THE DAY AT ESSEX COLLEGE IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

DEVRE IS WATCHED BY FELLOW COLLEGE GRAPPLER JUSTIN BIGGS. JOEY BONGIORNO, ERIC AND AL BRUHN ALSO GRAPPLED DURING NAGA 12.

ODDS AGAINST BRUHN RULE IN HIS FAVOR AT GRAPPLING TOURNAMENT

(Jersey City, New Jersey)...What are the odds for two regional grappling team members to be pitted against one another in a national grappling tournament?

Justin Biggs and Al Bruhn faced off one another during the Grapplers Quest tournament October 6, 2007 at Saint Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Both Biggs and Bruhn are members of the Western Connecticut Wrestling Team and Western Connecticut State University Grappling Group.

Biggs and Bruhn fought one another in the 9 month and under Novice 17 years and older and 150-159.9 weight class.

20 year old Biggs and 61 year old Bruhn caught the eye of a New York Times reporter who plans to write a feature article on Bruhn's lifestyle.

Bruhn is the subject of an exclusive national medical study on heart disease and is part of a Mixed Martial Arts and Healthy Heart For All Ages program authored by University of Buffalo student Max Rinaldi.

Power of prayer is what Bruhn calls the Grapplers Quest match-up between himself and Biggs. Bruhn opted not to participate in the older age group and advanced submission grappling category and instead took his chances in the younger group at the suggestion of the tournament director.

Bruhn and Biggs fought a good fight according to team coach Oliver DeVre despite the fact that Bruhn tapped out after a two point takedown by Biggs and applied rear naked choke hold.

Bruhn claims he had a gut feeling he was going to grapple Biggs who he told prior to their fight. Bruhn and Biggs were among two dozen grapplers in their category. Bruhn added he prayed to God to help him make it through the tournament safe and sound.

Grapplers Quest is the first tournament of its type for Bruhn and Biggs. Bruhn is a two time NAGA (North American Grappling Association) silver medalist.

(Wildwood, New Jersey)...Members of the Western Connecticut Wrestling Team celebrate NAGA 8 victory outside Wildwood Civic Center on the boardwalk under sunny skies August 4, 2007.

Justin Biggs, Joey Bongiorno, Max Rinaldi and Al Bruhn are part of the submission grappling team which competed during the NAGA event.

Al Bruhn scored a silver medal during his match in the 50 and older beginners group. Justin Biggs scored two impressive wins during his novice 150 weight class and Joey Bongiorno grappled a good match in the novice 140 weight class.

Max Rinaldi provided outstanding coaching to the three Nutmeg State grapplers.

Both Bruhn and Bongiorno won medals in a previous NAGA event April 21, 2007, Bruhn a silver medal and Bongiorno a bronze. Rinaldi scored an impressive Gold medal win during a Grapplers Quest tournament in February 2007.

Bruhn is a Western Connecticut State University alumni volunteer coaching WCSU students in college wrestling and mixed martial arts including BJJ submission grappling and Pankration. Bruhn is credited as a founding father of WCSU radio station WXCI in late 1960's and served as its volunteer news director in 1978. He co-ordinated WXCI FM and Cable TV news operations in the first radio/TV live call-in election night coverage during 1978 in America. Bruhn will be celebrating his 30th year in cable TV public access broadcasting neat year and is America's first longest running public access producer host. Bruhn retired from Danbury Public School district in 2000 with 30 years of service including a Gold Medal from former city school superintendent Dr. Anthony Singe. Bruhn is currently a guest teacher with Region 9 Easton-Redding Public School District and co-produces a sports program with WCSU on Comcast Cable TV 23 with Justin Mazzarese (WXCI FM General Manager).

WCSU students who have been participating with Western Connecticut Wrestling Team during 2006-2207 include Josh Mead, Christopher Foster, Thomas Liesesang, Gregory Grant, Jose Otero, Matt Soukas, Sean Malenfant, Oliver DeVre, James Hines, Steven Phillips and Paul Venezia.

New incoming freshmen who plan to participate with other WCSU wrestlers inlcude Chris Carbone, Phil Shailer and Will Fitzpatrick. Bruhn is training at WCSU westside campus cardio/weightlifting center as part of his Project Two MMA & Healthy Heart For All Ages under the direction of Max Rinaldi. Bruhn salutes martial arts trainer Max Rinaldi, who's the reason for Bruhn's current sports and media successes. Bruhn is preparing to do TV commercials with a New England agency and publish health/sports books with Rinaldi and the assistance of a prominent New York City entertainment attorney. Bruhn is also co-authoring a book with son Eric on How To Protect Your Child In School, in addition to The Anatomy of a Bad Public School and his years in public access Thanks For Watching & Who's Really Watching.

Any WCSU student who wants more information on how to train and participate in wrestling and martial arts tournaments should contact Coach Bruhn at (203) 788-0416.

BRUHN SCORES SILVER MEDAL WIN

AT NAGA BATTLE AT THE BEACH GRAPPLING

CHAMPIONSHIP

JOEY BONGIORNO EARNED BRONZE MEDAL AT APRIL '07 NAGA (far right)

MAX RINALDI SECURES WINNING GUILLOTINE ON OPPONENT AT GRAPPLERS QUEST TOURNEY!

MAX RINALDI SECURES WINNING GUILLOTINE ON OPPONENT AT FEBRUARY '07 GRAPPLERS QUEST TOURNEY!