Not just a two-sport standout in high school and college, Ron Pelligra was an All-American in athletics … and in life!

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His excellence as a wrestler and football player were recognized by Christian Brothers Academy and St. Lawrence University.  He is in their Halls of Fame for both sports.

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Decades after his days as a student-athlete, he remained a revered figure at CBA and on the SLU campus in Canton.  Ron died of a heart attack in 2013 at age 58.

At CBA, he was two-time All-City in both sports (offense and defense in football).  On the mat, his career record was 80-8.  In 1972, he was the first at CBA to win Sectionals.  And he competed in track.

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Collegiately, he was a two-time Division III All-American as a defensive tackle.  He led the Saints to their first pigskin playoff berth in many years.  Ron was also an All-American In wrestling at St. Lawrence.  His overall record was 93-7-1 (38-2 as a senior), and he set SLU’s record for pins.

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Ron and Debbie Pelligra had two children, J.J. and Stephanie.  Ron took up soccer and softball so he could help them, and both earned athletic scholarships — J.J. to Colgate, Stephanie to Notre Dame.

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Ron was never one to speak of his athletic accomplishments, though they were many.  But one stands out:  In 1976, Pelligra became the first NCAA champion at St. Lawrence in any sport.  The 5-11, 220-pounder beat MIT’s 6-7, 385-pound super-heavyweight to win the Division III title.

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He later lost, 5-3, to two-time Division I champ (and 14-year NFLer) Bob Golic, who said, “One of the toughest guys I ever wrestled was Ron Pelligra.”

But Pelligra — called ‘Luca’ — really had a heart of gold.  A product of Syracuse University Law School, he was a successful attorney here for 30 years who also did a great deal of pro bono legal work and was a generous (and anonymous) benefactor to CBA and SLU.

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At St. Lawrence, where he was MVP in wrestling and football as a senior, he is still celebrated.  The Hoot Owl Bar is a well-known establishment where Ron’s full-sized wrestling mural has been on display for 40 years.

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After Ron’s passing in 2013, football teammates, friends and SLU athletic staff installed ‘Luca’s Rock’ in the stadium entrance.  On the way to the field, every player touches the rock.

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Many people were touched by Ron ‘Luca’ Pelligra, who now becomes a member of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2018.