WRESTLING: Florida's Very Own Official Rick Tucci

There isn't a corner of the world where Florida's own Rick Tucci isn't recognized as one of the best wrestling officials. From Iran to Fort Lauderdale, Tucci has blazed a legendary trail.

When Rick Tucci was growing up in Toms River, N.J., there was simply no way he could have predicted his future in the sport of wrestling.

While he was a good wrestler on the mat, competing for three years at the high school level and even earning a scholarship to West Virginia University, Tucci's impact on the sport didn't come until he arrived in Florida in the late 1960s.

After sustaining a knee injury during his junior season in college and having to give up competing, Tucci turned to officiating. At first, he was intimidated. But then he started to enjoy it. That was in 1966.

Some 37 years later, the 90-pounder who was too small to play football and join the wrestling team to be with some friends, has become one of the most decorated amateur wrestling officials in the country, and easily one of the world's most respected.

His four Olympic games, 17 world championships, countless junior college tournaments, 11 Florida state championships and over 5,000 high school matches has eared Tucci a reputation as one of the most impressive officials the sport has to offer.

At the age of 58, this Pembroke Pines resident, middle school teacher and devoted husband and father has done more to expose and promote the sport than any other in the state of Florida. His induction into the Broward, Florida, Junior College and National Wrestling Halls of Fame, backs up his impact on the sport and those who compete in it.

With a Masters Degree in physical education and a minor in biology, Tucci's life as a school teacher began during a teacher's strike in Miami-Dade County in the late 1960s. That opportunity to come and enjoy year round sunshine was an opportunity he simply couldn't pass up. "I took advantage of the fact the area needed teachers," Tucci said. "While wrestling was important, getting a job was a priority."

Landing at Miami's Norland Middle School, Tucci's meeting with legendary Norland High wrestling coach Craig Thomas opened the door to his career. During a time when schools such as Stranahan, Norland and Miami Carol City dominated the sport in Florida, Tucci was in the middle of the growth as a mat official and as a coach at Miami Dade Community College, where he helped to develop a solid program.

In 1972, Tucci and others started to promote a sport that lacked exposure in Florida. As a coach and as an official, he combined the two to bring the Sunshine Open to the Viking Restaurant in Dania. The event was a success as schools such as Oklahoma, Oregon and the University of Pacific made their way across the country to compete.

Tucci's real break in the sport came a year later when the Junior World tournament came to Miami Beach. He and some of his close friends were at the center of an event that attracted the sport's best young competitors.

"It was there when I became certified as in international referee," said Tucci. "That was the beginning of a life that I would never have imagined."

The next six years would watch Tucci establish himself as one of the emerging officials in the sport. By the time the 1980 Olympics were held in Moscow, an event he was chosen for, but did not attend because of this country's boycott, Tucci had been to Italy, Mexico, Venezuela, Greece, Norway, Egypt, Israel, Japan and France, working some of the world's most prestigious tournaments.

The following years would follow Tucci to Germany, El Salvador, Turkey, Iraq, Siberia as well as Los Angeles, Korea, Atlanta, Australia for the Olympics. He was one of just three Americans chosen to officiate the games. Life was good.

With his sons Jeff and Ricky from his first marriage, and wife Cina and sons Dominic and Nicholas, Tucci had so much to live for. He had a great family, a job he loved at Highland Oaks Middle School in North Miami Beach and a position as one of the most respected wrestling officials in the world. Just when he gave so much thanks for his tremendous life, his world came crashing to earth. His son, Ricky, who had been a standout wrestler at McArthur, was diagnosed with cancer.

"That was a blow that hit me like a ton of bricks," Tucci recalled. "As a father, you try and stay upbeat while it's tearing you apart inside. It was the worst time of my life."

Two years ago, after battling and trying to rid his body of that cancer, Ricky Tucci passed away.

"It was such crushing news," said longtime high school wrestling official and Cooper City resident Bob Madge. "Rick was consumed with getting Ricky better, and when he lost his battle, it took a huge part of his life with it."

Over the past few years, Tucci has cut back his travel to be at home with his family. Sure, his trips to officiate world tournaments, qualifiers and this summer's Olympic games in Athens are on his schedule, but his workload has been scaled down.

With two years before he retires from teaching, Tucci is still officiating matches at the high school level.

"I wouldn't trade my position as a high school referee for anything," Tucci said. "I have been very fortunate to work the tournaments I have, but that doesn't make me any different from anyone else."

As he prepared to work his 37th regional high school tournament this year, Tucci thought back a few years to the contrast between the two lives he leads in the sport. He smiles as he looks into the air to bring the thought into focus.

"There I was on a Saturday night in Iran, officiating a world championship match in front of the 32,000 fans," Tucci said. "Five days later, I was at Hallandale doing a junior varsity match against South Broward and I think there were 13 people in the stands."

While he has met royalty in 20 different countries, can travel to Europe and stay with friends in any nation he chooses, this president of over 3,000 USA member officials still calls south Florida home. That's something he cherishes more than anything!