“2016 Man of the Year”
Congrats to Bergen Community College's Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach, Ed Kochakji, he was named "2016 Man of the Year" today at the NJCAA National Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Paramus, NJ - Bergen's Athletic Department received wonderful news today. Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach, Ed Kochakji, was named "2016 Man of the Year" at the 2016 NJCAA National Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Ed Kochajki was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association's (NJCAA) Wrestling Hall of Fame on February 25, 2012 at Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minnesota.
He served as the head wrestling coach at Bergen from 1977 to 1992, 1996 to 2004 and 2014-2016.
During his career, Kochakji coached over 40 NJCAA All-Region and All-Garden State Athletic Conference wrestlers, four NJCAA All-Americans, including 2004 National Champion and former Bergen Head Wrestling Coach Mike Massenzio, and many national qualifiers. In 2004, the team placed fifth at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.
Kochakji has received various awards and honors including a Special Recognition Award from the Garden State Athletic Conference for more than 100 wins in September 1991. That same year, he received the Bergen County Coaches Association Century Victory Award (also for more than 100 wins). In addition, the Record voted him one of the "Top Ten NJ High School Wrestlers" in February 2000 and honored him as "Top NJ High School Wrestler" of the 1960s.