The 2005-06 season marks Bruce Haberli’s 11th as head wrestling coach at New York University. Over the years, his teams have won University Athletic Association and invitational championships, while several of his wrestlers have qualified for the NCAA Championships and earned All-America honors.
Last season, Haberli’s “grapplers” finished second at the UAA Championship, fifth at the Metropolitan Championship, and produced an 11-7 dual meet record. Individually, sophomore Gene Kobilansky qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships at 141-lbs. He also won the 141-lb. championship at the Oneonta State Red Dragon Invitational, the College of New Jersey Lions’ Invitational, and at the Ursinus College Brute-Adidas Invitational. Junior Vinnie Russo was named UAA Co-Most Outstanding Wrestler, while both he and freshman Thomas Masciale were named to the UAA All-Association Team.
The team’s accolades in ’04-05 were not confined to the mat, as seven of Haberli’s wrestlers earned UAA Winter Sport All-Academic honors, while Kobilansky earned NCAA Division III Coaches’ Association Scholar All-American honors.
Many wrestlers have flourished at NYU during Haberli’s tenure. Tyras Bookman won back-to-back All-America honors in 1999 and 2000. During the 2001-02 season, Jason Snow earned All-America honors, won the UAA 174-lb. Championship, and became NYU’s first-ever four-time individual UAA champion. That season, Peter Johnson (157 lbs.), Damon Weston (197 lbs.), and Shad Lierley (141 lbs.) also won UAA Championships, while Tim Shin qualified for the NCAA’s at 149 lbs. Johnson also earned NWCA Scholar All-American accolades that season. In 2002-03, Stephen Hult earned UAA Rookie of the Year honors, while Justin Stern won the UAA 184-lb. title. Kobilansky won UAA Rookie of the Year honors in 2003-04.
Haberli has produced three NCAA All-Americans at NYU, four Metropolitan Champions and 17 UAA Champions, while his teams have won two UAA Championships.
Prior to joining the NYU staff in 1995, Haberli served as the head wrestling coach at Manhattan College, where he was also the school`s Director of Recreation and Intramurals. He was named Metropolitan Coach of the Year in 1995 and New England University Wrestling Association Coach of the Year in 1992, 1993 and 1995. Under Haberli’s direction, Manhattan produced its first-ever Metropolitan Champion and its first finalist in the New York State Collegiate Championships. Two Manhattan wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships during Haberli’s tenure.
A former captain of the Hunter College wrestling team, Haberli was an NCAA Championship qualifier who compiled a 67-20 career record. He went on to attend Lehman College, where he earned his bachelor of science degree in therapeutic recreation and physical education.
Haberli made the transition from wrestler to coach when he became an assistant at C.W. Post in 1985-86. He coached there for one year before taking the helm at Manhattan prior to the 1986-87 season. Haberli also coached the New York City region team in the Empire State Games from 1990-93.
Haberli has served as a member of the New York Athletic Club`s Wrestling Committee and was president of the New England University Wrestling Association from 1991-95. He now serves as the treasurer for the New York State Coaches` Association.
A native of River Vale, New Jersey, Haberli currently resides in Montvale, NJ, with his wife Michelle and their two sons, Trevor and Roman.
Haberli’s Year-by-Year NYU Record
1995-96 4-9 .308
1996-97 4-11 .267
1997-98 8-11 .421
1998-99 12-7 .632
1999-00 19-6 .760
2000-01 14-11 .560
2001-02 13-17 .433
2002-03 10-12 .454
2003-04 5-13 .277
2004-05 11-7 .611
Total: 100-104 .490
