Justin Lutes
6/26/2014 1:38:00 PM
HOBOKEN, N.J. (June 24, 2014) – Former wrestling standout, Joe Favia ’13 (Brick, N.J.), has been selected as the new head coach – eighth all-time – for the Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling program. Favia was a four-year letter winner and a three-year captain for Stevens from 2009-13.
“I am honored to have been selected as the head coach of my alma mater,” stated Favia. “I have a great deal of pride in this Institution and believe in its ability to succeed. I would like to thank Russ Rogers and the Stevens community for their continued support, and faith in my ability to lead this program into the future. I am eager to being a new era of Stevens wrestling, as we prepare to elevate the program to new levels of success.”
As a grappler for the Ducks, Favia twice finished fifth nationally at 165-lbs. at the NCAA Division III Championships in 2012 and 2013 to earn All-America status. In 2012, he claimed the Centennial Conference title and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament, and in 2013, the Brick, N.J. native took top honors at the NCAA Eastern Regional. For his outstanding senior season, Favia was named Stevens’ Best Male Athlete.
Favia’s name is dispersed throughout the wrestling record book on the single-season and career lists. He appears four times within the top 18 in single-season wins, including second all-time with 34 victories in 2012, while his .914 winning percentage (32-3) in 2013 sits atop that category. Favia is second all-time in career major decision wins with 21, third in career triumphs with 119 and fourth in winning percentage.
As a coach, Favia was most recently an assistant at Stevens, beginning early-2014. Overlapping that time, Favia has been the Rutgers University club assistant coach since 2013 and also helped out at the University of Iowa from 2010-12 at training camps.
“I could not be happier that Joe has decided to join our staff,” Director of Athletics Russell Rogers (Branchburg, N.J.) said. His passion for the sport of wrestling along with his knowledge and ability to relate with our student-athletes is very special. I look forward to working with Joe, Coach Jeff Jacobs and Coach Jeff Marsh in helping our team reach its fullest potential on and off the mat.”