SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Noel Kobia '65'

One of the benefits of participating in a sport at Sidney such as wrestling, your name can be easily remembered for years. All you have to do is win a New York State Championship. So it is with the name Noel Kobia, who did exactly that in his senior year of 1965.

Naturally, there was a lot more, and there is a lot more, to the Noel Kobia story than this most impressive accomplishment. And it could be said that the '65 state crown is a symbol of how this man has led his life and influenced others.

Noel came through Sidney during one of the most dynamic eras ever. Terrific sports teams, the flourishing of Scintilla (Bendix) as the 1960s "Space Race" escalated, the sense of community pride that emanated through the village, and a rising baby boom population which produced solid hard-working families in Sidney.

The family farm on Rogers Hollow (outside the village limits) saw Maurice & Hazel Kobia instill the work ethic to Noel and his older brother Paul. Family stories infer this work ethic and demand of perfection shaped Noel’s athletic approach and provided the foundation of his adult life.

Noel’s varsity experience at Sidney was consistent – three seasons each of football, wrestling and track. On the gridiron, the Warriors were 20-4 with one championship trophy, As a soph, the crew in ‘62 fell one game shy of another title, losing 14-12 to champion Newark Valley in the final game.

On those teams, Noel was a gritty two-way lineman and this fall activity led perfectly into the winter season of wrestling.

The work ethic described earlier was put into the practices in that sweaty, undecorated wrestling room off of the gym, led by Hall of Fame coach Tom Robertson. By Noel’s junior year, the results were very good. In 1964, competing in the 183-lb division, Kobia swept the three matches needed to take his first Section IV crown with a 2nd period pin, a narrow 3-2 victory and finally a 9-5 decision. In the State Tournament, Noel fought hard but placed 5th. The best was yet to come.

The 1964-65 season, already spotlighted with our 2009 Legacy Award, was magical yet not perfect. Even Noel lost twice during the season in preparation for his Section IV repeat. Redemption was earned in both the post season tournaments because in each championship bout, Noel defeated an opponent who had bested him earlier. He was the 1965 state champion at 180 pounds!

After completing another good season as the "shot & discus guy" for Bob Zegler’s track team, Noel accepted a scholarship to wrestle for Temple University. His stay there lasted three years, but not without becoming a major force on the Owls mat. Coming from Sidney, that was no surprise. A serious look at trying out for the US Olympic Team of 1968 was also considered. Then life took another turn.

Noel accepted another challenge, to defend our freedom and join the Marines. After completion of boot camp, he was chosen for Officer’s Candidate School. However, multiple back surgeries forced him to be medically discharged from the service.

His main career was as a postal carrier in Florida, then he and Sherry moved to Virginia. As the kids got into athletics, Noel was there as a volunteer coach, driver and supporter for each of them. All four of his children will tell you that their dad was very good at teaching life’s lessons either directly with words, or subtly in actions. A deep faith has also been the backbone for life in the Kobia family.

Two years ago as the ‘64-’65 wrestlers were honored, Noel had been one of the few who were not attending. Repeated phone calls and messages came his way to no avail. Finally, it was a family decision to come join the festivities. And no one got more out of the experience than Noel.

This time there was no hesitation. Therefore, the Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to add Noel Kobia to its roster. Congratulations!