Dennis Siegmann, a Pennsylvania native who came to Bristol to teach at Bristol Central High School in 1972, earned a reputation as a successful and aggressive wrestling coach who in 23 years as head coach at Central led the Rams to 11 league and two state Class L championships as well as a mythical State Open Championship in 1985 when his squad had an unprecedented six individual state champions.
Posting a record of 348-109-12, Siegmann coached three All American, 11 State Open champions and more than 20 individual state Class L champs.
He also served as girls track coach at Central and was head soccer coach at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury for several years. A member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Hall of Fame and a recipient of Coach of the Year honors, Siegmann retired from coaching after the 1999 season to become principal of Bristol Central High School. His legacy continues on in retirement :
Hello to All,
I just finished my first season returning to wrestling coaching and also teaching (semester two still going until May) at Labette Community College as an assistant coach and an adjunct geography teacher. We just finished winning the NJCAA National Junior College Wrestling Championships in Rochester, MN. There are 10 weight classes in college and we had nine All-Americans with 2 Champs; 2 seconds; two thirds; and three fifths. All I can say is WOW, what a ride. I have enjoyed this experience (coaching and college teaching far beyond what I expected). We set a Junior College record for the most points scored in a National Championship. At 65 years old, “I can’t believe I am still living my dream”. Many thanks to all who have helped me along the way. Retirement – What is that?
Sig
Dennis Siegmann
Bio Update: Dennis was selected by the Oklahoma SPORTS Hall of Fame to be their recipient of the 2015-16 College/University Volunteer of the Year Award. He was nominated by the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) for his exceptional volunteer work with their National Wrestling Championship Team. It is their privilege to present this award to Dennis for his dedication and commitment to NEO. In 2019 he was inducted into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the New Jersey Township Sports Hall of Fame.
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