Binghamton University Athletics

A native of Bellmore, NY, Steve Cavayero wrestled at Binghamton from 1976-1978. He majored in sociology before transferring to UCLA, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1980.

Cavayero became Binghamton’s first-ever national champion when he captured the 142-pound title in BU’s West Gym at the 1977 NCAA Championships. That same year he won both New York State and SUNYAC Championships - earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the all-division state tournament. The Amateur Wrestling News selected him as its top freshman 142-pounder in the entire country.

In 1978, Cavayero became the school’s first and only two-time national champion when he successfully defended his 142-pound title at the NCAA Championships. Cavayero then competed at the Division I national championships, where he placed seventh, earning All-America distinction.

As team captain in 1977-78, Cavayero led the Colonials to 11 dual wins and a fifth-place team national finish. For the second-straight year, he was named both the team’s MVP and BU’s “Athlete of the Year.”

At UCLA, Cavayero became a PAC-10 conference runner-up and a Division I national qualifier in 1980.