Walter Teike, a leading force in the development and success of the Spencerport Central School District’s wrestling program in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, died August 13 in Tucson, Arizona at age 88. Teike served as a coach, mentor, and the district’s first full-time athletic director. He was inducted into both the New York State and Section V Wrestling Halls of Fame as well as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame through its Upstate New York Chapter. John Pelin, who succeeded Teike as athletic director in 1989, said, “Walt’s success as wrestling coach and then athletic director put Spencerport ’on the map’ across the state and region. His true impact, however, is reflected by his mentoring of and the tremendous relationships he developed as attested to by many of his student-athletes.” During his tenure, Teike led the Rangers wrestling team to eight consecutive Monroe County league championships, and nine division titles. The district’s annual Teike Bernabi Wrestling Tournament is named in part in his honor.
Photo from Spencerport CSD
