2013-14 Youth Coaching Staff
Co-Head Coaches (Grades 5-8): Joe Baker & Steve Wright
Coaches Wright and Baker come to us as a Whitman-Hanson alumni. After wrestling in high school they went on to wrestle in college; collecting both a knowledge and increased love for the sport. Steve is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Whitman-Hanson Panther Wrestling history. As a senior captain, Steve was a Division II South Sectional champion and our program's first ever Division II state champion. While Steve accomplished great success as an individual wrestler, he is more proud of the fact that him and Joe Baker were both part of the team's first ever league championship. Joe has been actively coaching Hanson sports since 1999. Together, both coaches have been working with the Whitman-Hanson youth wrestling program since 2004. Their philosophy revolves around hard work, exercise and growth. More specifics can be found by viewing the first episode of Mat Time With Mark.
Click Here to email Coach Baker.
Click Here to email Coach Wright.
Click Here to email Coach Baker.
Click Here to email Coach Wright.
Head Coach (Grades 1-4): Mark ChaupPetta
Coach Chauppetta is a graduate of the class of WH 1987 where he wrestled for four years under Ron Brown and Hall of Fame Coach Bob Gay. Mark was a part of the 1984 and 1986 championship teams. After graduating, Mark competed in Mixed Martial Arts with one amateur and three professional fights before retiring. Mark returned to his wrestling roots when his youngest of four children Max joined the youth wrestling program. Mark has owed and operated On the Mark Investigations since 1995 and is an advocate for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Click Here to email Coach Chauppetta.
Click Here to email Coach Chauppetta.
Assistant Coach (Grades 1-4): David "Howie" Baker
David is a WH Class of 1988 graduate. He wrestled JV (100 lbs) '84-'85 and (107 lbs) '85-'86. David wrestled on the varsity team at the 114 lb weight class '86-'87. His favorite pinning move was the Double Chicken Wing.
David inherited the nickname 'Howie' from his older brother. However, Coach Gay's nickname for David was 'Clark Kent'. Off the mat, the coach observed that David was pretty mild mannered, but when the ref blew the whistle, David would leap into action!
David works for an IT support company in Boston and is a Cub Scout Den Leader with Hanson Cub Scouts. He enjoys fishing, archery and riding his motorcycle. David has 3 children, Ashley, Hunter and Tristan. Tristan is a second year wrestler in the youth program.
David inherited the nickname 'Howie' from his older brother. However, Coach Gay's nickname for David was 'Clark Kent'. Off the mat, the coach observed that David was pretty mild mannered, but when the ref blew the whistle, David would leap into action!
David works for an IT support company in Boston and is a Cub Scout Den Leader with Hanson Cub Scouts. He enjoys fishing, archery and riding his motorcycle. David has 3 children, Ashley, Hunter and Tristan. Tristan is a second year wrestler in the youth program.
ASSISTANT COACH (GRADES 1-4): Craig McCormack
Coach McCormack is in his first year with the Youth Wrestling Program. He is a 1986 graduate of Whitman-Hanson and was co-captain of the 1985-1986 South Shore League Champion wrestling team. He was one of the first Captains for Coach Bob Gay. He also was coached by Ron Brown. Coach McCormack followed in the footsteps of one his brothers, Scott McCormack, who was a Tri-Captain of the 1981-1982 team. Coach McCormack has a BS in Accounting from U-Mass Dartmouth and an AS in Computer Information Systems from Massasoit Community College. He is currently employed as a Sr. Financial Analyst for Citizens Bank. He resides in Hanson with his wife and two children. As a wrestler Coach McCormack helped win the 1985-1986 South Shore League Title which included: Coach Kevin Broderick, Coach Brian Wright, Coach Mark Chauppetta, Coach Dave Baker and Coach Ken Sheehan. McCormack also garnered League All Star honors that year.
ASSISTANT COACH (GRADES 1-4): Gary "Rabbi" Rabinovitz
Gary was a member of the first ever Whitman-Hanson wrestling team that began competing in 1977-78. Gary was undefeated in dual meets in his only two seasons wrestling for
WH. Coach Rabbi went on to have a successful wrestling four year career at Plymouth State University where he wrestled at 118lbs. After graduation Gary wrestled for the US Army team from 1985-88 and in 1988 finished 3rd in the Greco-Roman US National tournament, qualifying him for the 1988 Final Olympic Trials. After competition ended, Gary coach at Whitman-Hanson RHS for one year and Franklin High School for two years before moving on to coach at both Bridgewater State University and American International College. Gary was inducted into the Whitman-Hanson Hall of Fame in 1991.
WH. Coach Rabbi went on to have a successful wrestling four year career at Plymouth State University where he wrestled at 118lbs. After graduation Gary wrestled for the US Army team from 1985-88 and in 1988 finished 3rd in the Greco-Roman US National tournament, qualifying him for the 1988 Final Olympic Trials. After competition ended, Gary coach at Whitman-Hanson RHS for one year and Franklin High School for two years before moving on to coach at both Bridgewater State University and American International College. Gary was inducted into the Whitman-Hanson Hall of Fame in 1991.
ASSISTANT COACH (GRADES 1-4): Kenny Sheehan
Coach Sheehan is a graduate of WH class of 1987 where he wrestled varsity on the 1986 South Shore League championship team. Kenny got involved with the youth program when his son Ben joined the team. Kenny is a life long Whitman resident and works for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
