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Bill DePaoli was undoubtedly the finest lightweight Vulcan wrestler in school history, grappling for Cal from 1975 through 1979. He finished with an amazing 124-8 overall career record and won a PSAC title along with NAIA national titles in 1977 and 1979. DePaoli was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the 1979 NAIA national tournament. A six-time All-American at 118 pounds, DePaoli placed fourth at the NCAA Division I Nationals in 1979, the highest NCAA Division I individual finish in school history. He was also an NCAA Division II finalist in 1979. His overall dual-meet record was a perfect 67-0, and he was selected as a first alternate on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Team. DePaoli was a Silver Medalist at the 1976 Junior World Championships, and was elected into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1990.
DePaoli was Cal's head wrestling coach from 1985-1988, and during this four years, he coached six All-Americans and one national champion. Originally from Washington, PA, and a graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School, DePaoli is a self-employed general contractor for commercial and residential construction and also a volunteer youth ice-hockey coach. Bill and his wife Brenda reside outside of California with their two children-Brandie and B.J.
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