Jason Bovenzi named head coach at RIT

Jason Bovenzi has been elevated to head coach at RIT where he takes the place of Scott Stever. Bovenzi, a 2015 inductee into the Division III Hall of Fame, has been an assistant at the school for the past three seasons. He replaces Stever who was the coach of the Tigers for the past 18 seasons. Bovenzi was a two time NCAA Division III champion and three time All-American for St. Lawrence and Ithaca.

Jason Bovenzi named RIT’s Head Wrestling Coach

ROCHESTER, NY – RIT Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Lou Spiotti Jr., announced the appointment of Jason Bovenzi as Head Wrestling Coach on Wednesday, April 13.

Bovenzi spent the last three seasons as assistant wrestling coach at RIT. In 2014-15, Bovenzi played an integral role in helping RIT develop the program and guide Brad Mayville (Marion, NY/Wayne) and Tory Cain (Ontario, NY/Wayne) to All-American honors. Bovenzi replaces Scott Stever, who served as head coach at RIT for the last 18 seasons.

“Jason has all the tools and the drive to bring our program to new competitive heights,” said Spiotti. “He has an outstanding background as an elite wrestler at the collegiate level and as a coach.”

Bovenzi was a standout collegiate wrestler both at St. Lawrence University and Ithaca College, advancing to the NCAA Championship four times. He was a three-time All-American and two-time National Champion in 1993 and 1995. In his final season at Ithaca in 1994-95, Bovenzi won his second straight national title at 190 lbs., finishing with an undefeated record.

“It is a privilege to be named head coach of the RIT wrestling program,” said Bovenzi. “RIT is one of the most inspiring campuses I have been associated with. I am humbled and grateful that Lou Spiotti has entrusted me with the wrestling program at RIT. It is my intention to raise awareness in the wrestling community to the great academic and athletic opportunities that RIT offers.”

In March 2015, Bovenzi was inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his incredible collegiate career.

Originally from the suburb of Greece in Rochester, Bovenzi was also a standout on the mats at Greece Athena High School. He is a member of the Greece Athena and Section V Wrestling Halls of Fame.

For 17 seasons, Bovenzi served as the head varsity wrestling coach at East Rochester (1996-2002) and Pittsford (2002-2013) High Schools in the Greater Rochester Area. Bovenzi developed both fledgling programs into New York State ranked teams while coaching 36 class champions, 19 State Qualifiers, and a New York State champion. He coached the Panthers to a 159-58 record with 10 straight winning seasons and six state ranked teams.

In 2000, Bovenzi founded the Apex Wrestling Club, which has been one of the largest wrestling clubs in the state. Apex Wrestling Camps have brought in Division I, II, and III All Americans, National Champions, and legendary coaches during that time frame to assist in the development of local area wrestlers.

Bovenzi earned his bachelor’s degree in sports and leisure studies from St. Lawrence University in 1994, health education concentration degree from Ithaca College in 1995, and his master’s degree in liberal studies from The College at Brockport in 2000.

“Our student athletes will benefit greatly from Jason’s many years of experience as a teacher and a coach,” said Spiotti. “We look forward to working with him and the team to continue the rich tradition of RIT wrestling.”