Rob Cole

Wife: Debra
Children: Jason & wife Lora; Jessica & husband Jason Grandchildren: Jonas, Luka & Jude; Maddie & Cole

Robbie Cole is part of one of the most outstanding athletic families Sidney has ever seen. From the oldest, Rick to the youngest, Peggy, this was a family that thrived on competition while maintaining the utmost values of sportsmanship. And you can thank their parents, Dick & Ann "Ma" Cole for that.

Let's start and talk about Robbie's wrestling…. Robbie won the Greene Novice tournament wrestling championship at 95 lbs. as a freshman. As a sophomore, he started the season at the Varsity level in the 103 lb. weight class but moved to 95 lbs. shortly after so partner Jimmy Wilson could go to 103. He became the League Champion, and Sectional Champion, and finished second at the NY State Tournament, truly impressive as a sophomore. In his junior year, he wrestled at 103 lbs. and became the Sus League Champion, Windsor Christmas Champion, and Sectional Champion. During Robbie's senior year, he was the Sus League Champion, Windsor Christmas tournament runner-up, and finished 3rd at Sectionals at the Sectional tournament.

Rob also lettered in football once. That reminded him of participating in the Punt Pass & Kick in 1961. Punt, Pass and Kick (PP&K) is a skills competition offered by the US National Football League for children aged 6 to 151. Participants get the opportunity to punt, pass, and kick, and a score is calculated based on distance and accuracy. Rob participated in cross country twice, and baseball three times. He was awarded the Ben Ellis Sportsmanship Award at the athletics award dinner his senior year.

Rob continued his wrestling career at Campbell University in North Carolina along with his brothers Rick and Jim. He became a 3-time district champion, and 4-time regional champion, and qualified for the National tournament 4 times. He received numerous outstanding wrestler awards and was inducted into the Campbell College Sports Hall of Fame. While at Campbell, he also lettered in cross country and soccer.

After college, Robbie started his career in the restaurant business, managing and later owning a seasonal quick-service diner in Ocean City, MD with my wife Linda. This allowed him to continue pursuing his wrestling ambitions. Rob started officiating High School wrestling and helping coach local teams, eventually taking over a head coaching position for (8) years. He continued refereeing for nearly 50 years, participating in numerous tournaments, district, and regional tournaments. He was also involved in other sports activities, serving as the treasurer, player agent, concession stand director, and umpire of the local little league for over 10 years while his son participated. Rob helped start an indoor youth soccer league in the town and coached it for many years.

Tonight, we congratulate Robbie Cole as part of the Class of 2024 into the Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame.