Neil Nugent has held many titles during his 50 years at Nassau Community College. But his first title came on the wrestling mat as a student athlete when he won the NJCAA Regional Championship in 1962 and was two time NJCAA All American.
Neil was a member of the first Nassau Community College wrestling team, it was the first of two NCC intercollegiate teams established that participated in the NJCAA. He was one of the first NJCAA All Americans ever at Nassau. At the NJCAA National Tournament Neil finished fourth in 1962 and was a National Finalist in 1963 where he finished second. Neil would receive a full wrestling scholarship to Fairleigh Dickerson University after graduating from Nassau CC.
While wrestling at Fairleigh Dickerson University, he was 23-1 and won the Metropolitan Championship in 1965.
After earning a degree from Fairleigh Dickerson University with a Degree in Management, he then obtained two Masters Degrees from Adelphi University an MBA and MSW.
Mr. Nugent held many titles, assistant wrestling coach, Dean of Students, Director of Student Activities and Professor in Business, Accounting and Marketing. Neil was a charter member and President of the Faculty /Student Association for over twenty years. Neil was the driving force in the development of the Colleges Day Care Center known as the Children's Green House and the Veterans Association.
Neil has been very active also in his community where he trained the Nassau County Police Department for the Police Olympics in his early coaching years and has also served as a volunteer firefighter and Fire Commissioner for ten years. He is a certified EMT and still responds to calls in his community.
Neil has been married to his wife Pat for 51 years they both have two daughters Heather (Jim) and Kelly, plus seven grandchildren.
It a great honor to have an original Junior College wrestler, a great man and educator, who devoted his life to Junior College students and student/athletes, to be inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
