The Locust Valley Central School District community is mourning the loss of retired teacher, administrator and legendary wrestling coach Doug Axman, who passed away on Sept. 14.
During his time as a teacher and administrator, Axman had a positive impact on the lives of his students and founded Nassau County’s first-ever Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter in 1976.
Axman was a part of the Locust Valley High School wrestling program from 1974-2006, collecting an incredible number of accolades and just as importantly, molding generations of people who came through the district.
During his 19 seasons as the head coach of the high school wrestling team, Axman compiled a 140-125-3 overall duel meet record and coached four all-state wrestlers, 17 individual county champions and 30 all-county wrestlers.
In his 14 seasons as an assistant coach, Axman worked with fellow hall of fame coach Matt Sanzone, and the two coached five all-state wrestlers, 17 individual county champions and 30 all-county wrestlers. Axman and Sanzone oversaw the 1979 Falcons team who was Nassau County Dual Meet champions, Nassau County Tournament champions and New York State champions and the 1985 team who was Nassau County Tournament champions.
Axman received the Lifetime Service Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and was inducted into the district’s athletic hall of fame in 2017 for his outstanding commitment to the sport. He was honored by the Nassau County Wrestling Coaches Association (NCWCA)as the conference’s coach of the year in 1994, 1995 and 1997 and the assistant coach of the year in 2010 and 2012.
“The impact that Coach Axman leaves on not only our wrestling program, but on the sport across Nassau County, New York State and the country is immeasurable,” Athletic Director Danielle Turner Cosci said. “The sport has lost a giant, and his presence will forever be felt in our wrestling room. We are so fortunate to be able to say he was one of our and he is a forever Falcon.”