WAYNE CATAN, Syracuse ’86, placed 7th nationally for Tennessee, then became a two-time EIWA champion  and 2-time NCAA finalist for Syracuse. One of the league’s top scorers, Wayne averaged 21.7 points during his 8-0 EIWA record. Catan’s NCAA finals losses came against Oklahoma Olympian, Melvin Douglas, whom Wayne met in the East-West All-Star Classic. Catan placed fourth in the 1984 Olympic Trials and in 1987 wrestled for Team USA, earning a silver in Russia.  He toured Europe with the 1985 College World Team and competed against the Russians in NYC, Iowa and Chicago.

      A native of Bellport, NY, he runs Catan Communications, a public relations firm for athletes like Shaquille O’Neal and clients such as PEANUTS, Nike and NBC Olympics. He’s also reviewed books for The NY Times and music for Cover Magazine. Catan has won awards including PR Week’s Solo Practitioner of the Year in 2001. He received the Dellinger Award in 2003 as Amateur Wrestling News National Writer of the Year. Catan resides in Mine Hill, NJ with wife, Jessica, and their two children.