Tom Toggas, Lehigh University, Class of 1988

Tom Toggas, originally from York, PA, was immersed in a wrestling legacy, surrounded by family members deeply involved in the sport from his cousins to his brothers to his uncle to his father. Competing for West York High School, Toggas' accomplishments would include being a 2x York County Sectional Champion (1981, 1982), placing 3^rd at the 1981 PA South Central District Tournament, making a state championship appearance in 1981, and captaining the team his senior year.

While he had considered walking on at Iowa, a recommendation from his cousin John (Head Coach at Parkland High School) would find Toggas taking a post-graduate year at Blair Academy (NJ). He not only captained that team, but he also recorded an 18-0-1 record and secured a dominant National Prep Championship in the 155-pound weight class. Toggas would join the Lehigh Engineers to wrestle at the 158-pound weight class.   

After winning his 3rd EIWA Tournament in 1988, Toggas earned the Fetcher Award, given to the wrestler who generates the most team points in their EIWA career. His Lehigh teams in 1985 and 1988 secured the EIWA Team trophy and he finished his Lehigh career with a record of 70-33-1. He graduated in 1988 with a degree in Finance and Marketing, later earning his MBA in Real Estate Development from American University where he served as an assistant coach.

Toggas went on to be highly successful in the mortgage banking, financial planning, and software development sectors. In addition to his professional endeavors, he volunteers as a local Little League Baseball coach, training service dogs for Veterans' kennels, and serves as a volunteer assistant with George Mason University's wrestling team. He currently resides in Washington, DC and has three grown children, Colin, Olivia, and Sammy; with the boys following in their father's footsteps in the sport of wrestling.

About the EIWA Hall of Fame 
The EIWA Hall of Fame is the only NCAA Division I Wrestling Hall of Fame in the country. As part of the oldest collegiate wrestling division in the nation, the Committee works tirelessly to induct into its Hall of Fame individuals who have excelled as competitors or coaches, have contributed to the sport in unparalleled ways, have had impactful lives beyond the mat, and most importantly, embody the traits of character, resilience, and determination. The nomination cycle runs from November 1st through September 15th each year.