Oct. 17, 2005

Charleston, SC - Joe Privitere, a celebrated wrestler as a student-athlete at Binghamton (NY) University, has joined The Citadel's staff as an assistant coach, according to head coach Rob Hjerling.

Privitere, who currently works in the college's Health, Education and Sport Science Department and with the intramural program, replaces Ryan Lange, who has pursued other coaching endeavors.

"We are thrilled to have Joe join the staff," said Hjerling, who has elevated The Citadel's wrestling to heights that haven't been seen since the late 1960s. "He has a wealth of experience on the mats and we are counting on him to translate that vital experience to our wrestlers."

The Citadel captured the 2004 Southern Conference Championship, the first since 1967, and Hjerling was named the league's coach of the year. The Bulldogs finished second last year.

Privitere, who attended Johnson City (NY) High School, was the 1998 High School National Champion at the 140-pound weight class. A two-time all-conference performer at Binghamton, where he graduated in 2003, Privitere was a Division II All-American in 1999. Also in 2000, he was the FILA Greco World Silver Medalist (at the 69kg weight class) and is Binghamton's single season record-holder with 38 victories at the 149-pound class.

He was also a FILA Greco All-American in '99 in addition to being a conference runner-up, and in 2000 he was the FILA Greco World Team Trial Champion (at 69kg).