Cumberland's teams have been known for their tenacity, determination, and great sportsmanship. They have also been recognized for having an extremely loyal fan. This person, for the exception of caring for her children when they became ill, has attended almost every Cumberland wrestling contest since the start of the program in 1968. This devoted supporter, called mom by Steve Gordon's two daughters, is well-known around the Ocean State as Coach Gordon's wife, Judy.
Steve and Judy Gordon in the 1970'sJudy Gordon had never seen a wrestling match until she met Steve. Before he started coaching at Cumberland, Steve Gordon officiated wrestling matches in New England and Judy would accompany him. Cumberland's first and only head coach said, "From the start, I knew Judy took an interest in wrestling because on our way home, she offered critiques of my officiating." Eventually Steve got the Cumberland job and immediately started a wrestling team. Judy enjoyed watching wrestling so much, she packed up a few diapers, put together a bag of Cheerios, and brought her 1-year-old daughter Jeni to Cumberland's inaugural dual meet. Since that first contest, Judy Gordon has occupied the same seat in the bleachers.
As the seasons rolled by, Judy Gordon became a fixture at Rhode Island wrestling tournaments and all of Cumberland's dual meets. Before the days of athletic trainers, and because of her nursing background, Judy became the person everyone looked to when an injury happened. Wrestlers from any team, with nose bleeds or twisted ankles, benefitted from Judy's eagerness to help. Even fans relied on Judy's assistance. At one match, a spectator suffered a heart attack. The fans quickly summoned Judy Gordon, she began CPR, and provided the needed medical assistance until the paramedics arrived.
Coach Gordon eventually enlisted his wife to help run tournaments. She became involved with the Cumberland Invitational and ultimately served as tournament director. Her efforts went beyond assisting with the tournaments. On a Saturday morning in the late seventies, Coach Gordon was pinned to the mattress by the flu. He told his wife that she needed to accompany the JV squad to a tournament and help coach the boys. Judy put on her sneakers, rode the bus with the team, and unofficially became the first woman to coach boy's wrestling. Judy Gordon's contribution of time and commitment to wrestling earned her admission into Rhode Island's Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mrs. Gordon is one of only two women who have gained membership in this exclusive group. Coach Gordon is also a member of the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Fred Smith, a former Cumberland wrestler who graduated in 1981, is still involved with the program as a volunteer coach. Smith said, "Everyone knows who Judy Gordon is. Steve and Judy together are the face of Cumberland wrestling. Judy helps us stay focused on the most important things, things like family, things like helping each other. She makes sure we all know that wrestling is secondary." Judy is credited for remembering everyone's birthday and she and her husband have attended many college graduations of former students. When tragedy strikes families of the Cumberland wrestling community, Judy and Steve are often the first knocking on the door offering support. Smith spoke about their dual roles. "Steve is the wrestling guy but because of her compassion and concern for others, Judy Gordon became the heart and soul of the program."
Coach Gordon's daughter Jeni remembers attending the matches with her mom as a young child. "Everyone knew my mom. No matter where we went, people would ask her about the wrestling team. My dad had a rule that my sister Andi and I had to stay away from the mat at matches. As time went by, my dad did soften. When my oldest Molli was 1, I took her to a match. Of course, Molli saw grandpa and when my dad saw her, he immediately waved her over. I looked at my mom and we both smiled." Jeni and her sister Andi cherish memories of their mom baking for all the matches, preparing the meal for the annual captain's dinner, and getting the house ready for the team to come over and watch a motivational movie the night before the state tournament. The Gordon family has had a pervasive impact on the Cumberland wrestling team. Both Judy and Steve's daughters served as managers as did their two granddaughters. The youngest granddaughter Alli will graduate Cumberland High this spring, and will bid farewell to the program along with her grandparents.
Many consider Judy Gordon a bright light that shines on the Cumberland wrestling community. Laurie Gorman, a former Cumberland cheerleader who married a wrestler and whose son wrestled for Coach Gordon, knows Steve and Judy well. Laurie smiled while talking about the Gordons. "Coach Gordon has been the mastermind and Judy has been the glue that holds everything together. Judy has kept Steve calm. When matches became exciting, Steve would often glance over at Judy. Their eyes would briefly meet. In those few seconds, they communicated and Steve remained calm." Evidence of Judy Gordon's positive impact on the program was proven back in the eighties. At that time, the Cumberland program struggled. Less students were interested in wrestling and it became more challenging sustaining the high level of competitiveness that was the hallmark of Clippers' program. Coach Gordon entertained the idea of stepping down but he remembers his wife's powerful words, "You are not going to leave until we get this right."
Everyone involved with Cumberland wrestling believes that the program is more than a team. Current and former wrestlers think of it as a family. When past wrestlers speak about their coach, it's always Coach and Mrs. Gordon. Alumni wrestlers regularly return to watch a meet, and when they enter the gym, immediately march over to Judy Gordon's seat to get her welcoming "hug and a kiss." Former wrestler Kyle LaBranche, who graduated in 2000, is now a math teacher at Pawtucket High School. LaBranche believes that both Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been exceptional role models by the example they set. "The Gordons are special people. The lessons they taught us go beyond wrestling." LaBranche remembers that when a wrestler suffered a difficult loss, Mrs. Gordon would talk to him after the meet. "Coach would have the red face but after listening to Mrs. Gordon, everything became OK."
Soon Coach Gordon will begin his farewell tour. He will be celebrated and many will wish him well. But before anyone leaves the gym, they will look to get one final smile from the woman who has nurtured and supported everyone. After over 1000 competitions, hundreds of pounds of home baked brownies, and thousands of "hugs and kisses," Judy Gordon will soon retire as the matriarch of the Cumberland wrestling family. She will be leaving a legacy showered with kindness, compassion, and devotion to community. Reminiscing about his days wrestling for Cumberland, a former wrestler said it best, "The reason we all love Mrs. Gordon, is because Mrs. Gordon loves us. We will miss both Mrs. Gordon and Coach."
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