SOUTH PORTLAND – Themes dealing with strong work ethic and teammates were featured throughout the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

The prestigious event drew a huge crowd Saturday night at Southern Maine Community College.

The 2004 class includes longtime coaches Frank “Spook” Spizuoco of Dexter, Dennis Walch of Westbrook and Al Kirk of Deering. Posthumously honored was Sean Sheehy, who wrestled at Wells High School in the mid-1980s.

The four inductees raises the total to 40 members in the Hall of Fame.

“It’s a special night,” MAWA president Dennis Bishop said. “This is an honor to the gentlemen that are being recognized. We, the entire wrestling community, owe a great deal of gratitude to them. They helped make our sport what it is today”

The selection of three coaches in the same year is a first for the MAWA. The trio has combined to serve the sport for approximately 100 years. Spizuoco, a dairy farmer, has been with the Dexter program since its inception in 1958. serving as both the head coach and an assistant.

“I had more fun than any one in 1958,” said. “I (still) love being an assistant coach. The job allows you more freedoms and less concerns or worries about everything. As coaches, we have a great deal of influence on the kids. It’s important to do the job well.”

Dexter has won 12 state championships in 46 years, second only to the 16 won by Sanford.

Walch established the program at Westbrook in early 1973 and remained as head coach until retiring last year.

“I grew up with strong family values,” Walch said. “My dad was a hard worker and so was my mom. Their (skills) have carried over throughout my adult life. There are a lot of sacrifices that had to be made throughout my career, and you tend to miss out on things, but my wife Terry and the rest of my family has always been there.”

Walch has filled the winter void by becoming a wrestling official. He is also the team leader of the Friendship Series, featuring wrestlers from Nebraska and Maine. Walch is half of the third father-and-son combo in the hall. Brian Walch was inducted last year. Others include John and Mike Carmaihalis and Rick and Jayson Allain.

Kirk has been a wrestling coach for 37 years – the last 27 at Deering – and also was an assistant football coach for 19 years. Kirk is an associate professor of technology at the University of Southern Maine.

The Rams’ coach believes in the tradition of the sport and the Rams wrestling room transcends it.

When inside, you see the faces of former wrestlers and get a sense of the golden moments that have occurred over the years. Kirk’s philosophy is to mold the entire person. He has developed a strong interaction with kids and knows what makes them tick.

“There are a lot of things necessary to succeed in life,” Kirk said. “In wrestling, it starts with tradition and perseverance. And behind every coach is an assistant coach who is there.”

Sheehy was the first wrestler to win three Class B state championships (1985-87) and was also the first to achieve 100 career wins. The former Warrior was quiet and humble, but he is best remembered for his tenacious leadership.

A Navy Seal for 10 years, Sheehy died in March of 1999 at age 30.

The board presented the Outstanding Wrestler Award to Decota Cotten of Noble and Chris Remsen of Camden Hills, who both won New England championships and earned All-America honors by Wrestling U.S.A. The award is named for John Carmarihalis, who established Maine wrestling in 1958.

Gregory Sousa of Cony won the Gary Kent Academic Scholarship.

Ron and Susan Elwell were awarded the MAWA Person of the Year award. They are longtime supporters of wrestling in the Greater Bath area.