Ithaca College

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Merle "Mike" Greene, a former coach and faculty member at Ithaca, passed away Friday at 89. Greene served as head coach of Ithaca's golf, wrestling and men's cross country teams during his career and was an assistant coach with the football team. Greene served as a physical education professor for three decades, beginning in 1958.

As cross country coach from 1965 to 1972, Greene coached Tom Williams, who set a school record by winning eight races in 1967. Ithaca began competing at the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC) during that time. The Bomber wrestling coach from 1972 to 1978, Greene coached two all-Americans  -- Paul Iacovelli (fourth at 190 in 1974 and Ron King, sixth at 177 in 1975). The 1974 team finished 16th at the NCAA Championships. Greene coached 14 ICAC champions and Ithaca's second-ever NYS champion -- Iacovelli, who won the 1973 title at 190.

An Alfred graduate who starred in football, wrestling and track & field, Greene was drafted by the NFL's Detroit Lions before serving in World War II. He was elected a charter member of the Saxons' Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973. Greene also spent five years as chairman of St. Bonaventure's physical education department.

Former college coach excelled at life, on field (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)

Former IC coach Greene dead at 89 (Ithaca Journal)