New Canaan wrestling community to honor long-time coach Paul Gallo

Bobby Rushton, left, and Paul Gallo, right, coach at last year’s State Open championships in New Haven.

NEW CANAAN, Nov. 4 – Before the high school wrestling season begins, the New Canaan wrestling community would like to honor long-time coach Paul Gallo.

Gallo stepped down as head coach in July after 30 years behind the bench. He is swapping positions with Bobby Rushton, who will take over as head coach in December. Gallo will step back and become Rushton’s assistant coach.

The Paul Gallo Night to benefit the New Canaan wrestling program will be held Tuesday, November 26, from 7-10 p.m. at the Waveny House in New Canaan.

“We would like to honor Paul as we kickoff the season with our current youth and high school wrestling families,” Rushton said. “We extend the invitation to all of coach Gallo’s wrestlers and families dating back to the 1989-90 season and anyone who knew Paul.”

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Gallo took over in December 1989 and has compiled a career record of 346-247-5 – an outstanding accomplishment in a tough FCIAC with Danbury, Fairfield Warde, Staples, Ridgefield and Trumbull. The Rams’ best dual meet record under Gallo came in 2009-10 when the Rams were 22-3.

Gallo, a 1980 graduate of New Canaan High, has coached 22 FCIAC champions, six State Open champions, two New England champions and one national champion.

Gallo isn’t going far. He will be Rushton’s assistant coach this year.

“I thought I would step back, let someone younger take over and I can do all of the administrative things, help out at some practices and be there for tournaments,” Gallo told Dave Stewart of the Stamford Advocate in July. “We could have been co-head coaches but it’s important for him to learn to do everything. I’m still there to help out as a safety net but I want it to be for him.”