Hall of Fame
A native of Homer, N.Y., Dave Berry wrestled at Binghamton from 1970-74. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in geography in 1974.
Berry was a sectional champion and state placewinner in high school and his career achievement and leadership served as a catalyst for a Binghamton wrestling program that was in its infancy when he arrived in fall 1970. Four years later, Berry left as a four-time NCAA qualifier and record-holder who set Binghamton on its path to national prominence with the first of five-straight top-20 NCAA finishes.
He went 9-3-1 as a freshman and earned an NCAA tournament berth at 150 pounds. One year later, he went 13-1 in duals and captured the New York State Championship at 150 pounds. Then with Berry leading the way, Binghamton placed 30th at the NCAA Championship — in just its third year as a varsity program.
As a junior, co-captain Berry went undefeated in duals (12-0-1) and returned to the NCAA Championship. There, he won two matches at 150 pounds to reach the Round of 16. In his senior season, Berry again went unbeaten in duals (15-0-1), stretching his school-record unbeaten dual match streak to 34 matches. With Berry and a now-strong lineup, Binghamton went 13-2-1 and was ranked as high as No. 9 in the country. At the NCAA Championship in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Berry won two matches to reach the quarterfinals at 158 pounds. The team finished 16th in the national standings.
He graduated holding records for most career dual wins (49), team points (185) and win percentage (49-4-2, 89%).
Berry received the department's Foundation Award for career achievement and leadership in 1974.
