RICHARD 'DICK' FERRARA (Athlete, Class of 2023)

Richard Ferrara’s athletic career started in 1963, when he participated in one play (he was only nine years old) for the Warren Midget League’s Redskins.

In high school, he took up wrestling at Warren High, followed his father’s job to Churchill, New York, earned membership in that town’s Varsity Club, and moved back to Warren.

Early in his senior year at WHS, he served notice that good things were about to happen when he placed second at a Christmas wrestling tournament. 

Competing in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, at one hundred forty-five pounds, he was undefeated in dual matches, was named the Redskins’ most outstanding wrestler, and earned 1972 All State honors.  He then to put the icing on the cake, when he traveled north to the New England championships and finished fourth in the six-state region.

Post-high school, he wrestled for Rhode Island College, where he posted a winning record.

For the last seventeen years, Dick has been a coach for the Warren Wrestling Club that has won numerous individual and team state championships and shows no sign of slowing down.  During this past spring, the Club captured the 8 and Under and 10 and Under (tie) team titles and eleven of the Club’s grapplers earned the title of Individual State Champion.

He continues to serve as the State Pairing Official for the Rhode Island Wrestling Association.