A 1946 graduate of Washington High School in southwestern Pennsylvania, Stanley Mousetis was a Pennsylvania state wrestling champ and WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) titlewinner.
Mousetis then headed east to Franklin & Marshall University in Lancaster, where he was crowned 1948 EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) champ at 128 pounds. He lost just one dual meet bout in college, and was a three-time Mid-Atlantic AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) champ.
After graduating from F&M, Mousetis launched a coaching career lasting more than four decades. He began at Bellefonte High School in 1951, then returned to his alma mater at Washington High, coaching the Prexies from 1955 through 1979. While at Washington, Mousetis coached four state champions.
Mousetis also coached at Plum and Franklin Regional, compiling a career record of 343-260-11. He also served as an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh in the 1980s, and was a high school and college referee for two decades.
Mousetis was a member of a number of Halls of Fame, including the Franklin & Marshall Athletics Hall in 1987, and the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches' Hall of fame in 1994.
However, Mousetis' fame went beyond titles and honors.
Here's how John Sacco of the Observer-Reporter of Washington, Pa. opened his tribute to hometown hero Stan Mousetis.
"His wrestling knowledge was unparalleled.
"He had a special gift that enabled him to impart that vast wrestling intellect on to those he coached, those who coached under him and those he mentored."
"He wasn't easy to wrestle for and he would not bend. He was a tough guy," said Frank Rotundo, who wrestled for Mousetis at Washington, then later became head wrestling coach and school principal. "Nobody, I mean nobody, knew more wrestling than Stanley. Nobody."
Dave Cook, who coached under Mousetis at Washington, echoed those sentiments, telling the Observer-Reporter, "There was a right way, a wrong way and Stan Mousetis' way. "He molded me and he taught me.
"Stanley was a great coach and a great man. I learned more wrestling from Stanley than anybody. His practices were long and he never shied away from letting you know about his philosophical thoughts."
"He was hard on each wrestler," Ricardo "Ticky" Bryant said. "No exceptions. But he cared for every wrestler he coached. It didn't matter what your skill level was or the success you did or didn't have. Mr. Mousetis would go to your house. He made me a better person. He was like my second father. I loved him.
"The man is an icon. He coached some of the best teams around and state champions. He is known all over Pennsylvania."
Stan Mousetis with close friend Tom EllingMousetis was preceded in death by his first wife Alice and his second wife Gretchen. He is survived by four daughters and two sons.
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