New York USA Wrestling

September 1st marks the age of a new day for NY-USAW as we proudly announce that through a series of conversations over the course of the past month-plus, we have reached a deal to welcome Mr. Josh Smith & Mr. Matt Diano to the media team of our organization!!!

The "Partners in Shine" (as in spotlights on the Evil Empire's amazing student-athletes) both come to us after an extended tenure as the lead journalists for New York Wrestling News....

Their introduction/entry into the "world's oldest and greatest sport" (to borrow from Mike Chapman) vastly contrary to one another; all that matters in the end is that once they found their passion; they have committed themselves on providing the highest quality of promotion to it!

Smith, a married father of two boys was born into the sport, as his own dad, Michael, wrestled for General Brown in the 1970s; while cousin, Scott Raso was a Section 3 finalist for the Lions in 1996!!! 

He'd follow in those footsteps, enjoying a five-year varsity career/3x starter at Indian River Central from 1999-2003...

Paying forward all of the good will and support he received when he was on the other end of the relationship from the likes of coaches---Rolf Wagoner &  Jamee Call---Smith took to the bench where he served Beaver River Central Head Coach from 2007-2008 before accepting an Assistant role at Watertown from 2010-2012!

In-between his competitive and coaching days would be a four-year stint as a referee for the Watertown Wrestling Officials Association under the tutelage of now-retired legends such as Pat Collette and Tom Lynch; as well still active/renowned officials---Jon Walseman and Ryan Amato!

A mainstay at the NYSPHSAA State Championships (spanning five different arenas) since 2000 and showing no signs of ending his streak, Smith's involvement in the journalistic side of wrestling commenced in 2018 when he answered a "simple ad posting for a media position with NYWN"....

In his six seasons at the helm,  he has poured his heart into providing weekly in-season team/individual rankings; off-season up to date Class Rankings; extensive NYS tournaments and NYS duals coverage, etc...Suffice to say, he has been the author of umpteen articles covering the entire Empire State, top to bottom - left to right.....He did this work while simultaneously forming contacts/relationships that continue to pay dividends!!

Diano, a lifelong "Strong Islander" (with the exception of a 9-month stay in Clifton Park) took a more unconventional path towards discovering his affinity for the "men and women of the mat"...

Hailing from a predominantly baseball/basketball family and not knowing the difference between a Granby roll and a pretzel bun; as a high school sophomore, he sought a means of carving out his own niche away from the athletic achievements of his clan!!! 

Unable to don the singlet himself because of extensive medical issues dating back to his youth (major spinal cord surgery that prevented his engagement in heavy contact endeavors); the often "verbose wordsmith" found his calling and place in the circle when National Hall of Fame Coach, George Dlugolonski, extended an invitation for him to act as the Team Manager at Chaminade High School....

As he moved onto the collegiate level at Hofstra University, the Levittown native/current Selden resident was privy to be exposed to another mentor in the person of then Pride HC, Tom Ryan... 

Combining his two loves of writing and wrestling, "Hofman19" was birthed and raised/cultivated by the fine people of the Long Island Wrestling Association forum (none held in higher regard than HOFer, Steve Meehan), who took the still neophyte under their wings and taught him the history of the sport!!

As his star as an underground message board source began to rise, so too did the opportunities to cross over into professional/freelance assignments!!

Utilized as a national consultant to InterMat, FloWrestling, and other main stream heavy hitters, his greatest bullet points during a 20+-year career have actually been derived through the moments/memories he has relished on a micro-level

One of the founding parties in Nassau/Suffolk based Lighthouse Wrestling, Diano, alongside his colleague, William "Bill" Miller were honored to be presented the award for Website of The Year in 2009-2010 by the National Wrestling Media Association...

His next venture took him to the five boroughs, where he'd be the primary voice/pen behind Gotham City Wrestling for an extended duration...

A minor hiatus occurring in the Mid-2010s thru early-2020s while Diano focused on other projects away from the sport (still actively involved in a casual form via his personal Facebook page), his reemergence materialized in the summer of 2021 when he was approached by Smith to inject some energy into NYWN....

His calling card/Modus operandi being detailed and/or elaborate pieces pertaining to event coverage, the recruiting scene, and whatnot; it is his well-rounded/balanced knowledge that has carried favor with readership!!

Considering himself forever grateful to have been afforded the privilege of sharing press row/collaborating with industry giants---Jason Bryant, Betsy Veysman (2018 Stanbro Award Recipient), and Michael Carey (2019 Stanbro Award Winner), a subtle buzz regarding Diano's own Stanbro candidacy has echoed for the better part of the past two seasons!!!

When asked what has them each most excited/enthusiastic about the start of this next chapter, Smith shared the following:  

"I am excited to expand my roots, and elevate the status of NYS student-athletes beyond the confines of the Empire State. My initiative is to make it known to the entire Country that New York is on the rise. Being under the NY-USAW umbrella,  our wrestlers will get the recognition they rightfully deserve."

Diano parroted many of those same sentiments, while additionally stating: 

"While my experience with New York Wrestling News will remain among my fondest; I feel an extra sense of motivation at knowing that this is a 100% NY blood generated product; and the proposition of being given free reign and every tool imaginable to sculpt a collective new vision was a dream scenario that could not be refused!!