Board Of Directors
Darby McLaughlin
Executive Director
Coach Darby McLaughlin is a 1992 graduate of Springfield Central High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Westfield State College, and a master’s degree in Education from American International College.
His wrestling achievements include winning state titles in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling. In 1992, as captain of the Massachusetts Junior National Team he was a USA Wrestling, Greco-Roman All American. He went on to wrestle Division 1 for Central Connecticut State University.
Coach McLaughlin is one of the premier high school coaches in New England. He is a physical education teacher at Springfield Central High School and is in his 22nd year as the head wrestling coach. His teams have won a combined 13 State Titles. He has also coached numerous individual State, All State and New England Champions, as well as four All Americans and a NHSCA National Champion.
Coaching Accolades
- National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWSCA) Coach of the Year, 2006 & 2017.
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame Coach of the Year, 2013
- Massachusetts Div. 1 Coach of the Year 2011, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20.
- Div. 1 State Champions 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020.
- Massachusetts All State Champions 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020.
- 2X MA Dual Meet State Champions.
14X Div. 1 Western Mass Champions. - 2019 MIAA Team Sportsmanship Award- Presented by the MA Referees Association
- Inducted into the Springfield Public High Schools Sports Hall of Fame as both an athlete and a coach.
Steve Graham
President
Mr. Graham is the Founder and CEO of The Toner Group involved in plastic manufacturing, real estate, and alternative investments.
He was a volunteer assistant coach at Springfield College (1980 -1985) and was a volunteer and head coach at E. Longmeadow H.S. from 2005 – 2015.
He is a graduate of Princeton University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He was an EIWA Champion in 1978 and honorable mention All-America. Mr. Graham is married with 3 children.
Shawn Teece
Treasurer
Mr. Teece has a fascinating story. Please see attached.
Mr. Teece is the Vice President of Finance at MassHire Holyoke Career Center in Holyoke, MA. He is also the owner of Teece Tax Solutions providing tax advice and income tax preparation for individuals and small businesses.
He received both his BS and MS degrees in accounting from Westfield State University. He was a wrestling team captain at Springfield Central High School.
Dan Brookes
Director of Development
Mr. Brookes is the COO for New England Wound Care where he is responsible for organizational efficiency and growth. Previously he received awards for sales growth and leadership at Solsys Medical/Misonix and Ethicon Johnson & Johnson.
Prior to going into private industry Mr. Brookes was a teacher at Springfield Central High School.
He played baseball at Springfield college and has held numerous coaching positions including the hitting coach with the Holyoke Blue Sox in 2009 and 2010 and the head coach of the New England Ruffnecks, a college prep team with 40+ players receiving college scholarships. Three of those players went on to play professionally including Isan Diaz from Springfield Central H.S. Mr. Brookes received a degree in Movement and Sports Studies from Springfield College. He is married with two daughters.
Jonathon Viruet
Board Member
Mr. Viruet is a 2019 graduate of Brown University where he received a Bachelor of Business Technology degree in Biomaterials and Biotechnology.
He was a 3-year captain of the Brown University wrestling team qualifying for the NCAA Tournament twice and 3x place winner at the EIWA championships. He also was 2x USA Greco Roman All-American and Folkstyle All American. This followed an outstanding high school career where he won a High School National Championship along with 2 New England Championship titles and 3 All State Championships at Springfield Central H.S.
Dave Alvarado
Board Member
Coach David Alvarado is a 1990 graduate of Roger L. Putnam Vocational High School, now known as Putnam Vocational Academy.
In the past 22 years as the head coach of Putnam Vocational Academy, he has coached numerous New England qualifiers, All State, State and Sectional Champions. In 2018 his team won the Western Massachusetts Division 1 Title and he was named 2018 Coach of the year.
Dave’s passion for wrestling began in high school and has carried on through his adult life. He understands that connection and positive role models with inner city youths will enable them to set the foundation for a fulfilling future. Coming from the inner city himself, Coach Alvarado understands the value of good role models and mentors.
Coach Alvarado is a 29 year veteran with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department (HCSD). He currently holds the rank of Primary Captain in the Special Operations Division. His coaching and instructing has carried on in his professional career as well. David has mentored numerous new officers as they began their career with the department knowing the importance of having competent well balanced staff. Coach Alvarado realizes the importance of mentorship and was a member of the mentorship development committee. He is highly regarded as a sincere, trusted and capable mentor.
Throughout his career with the HCSD, he has held various instructorships to include: Defensive Tactics Instructor Trainer, Firearms Instructor Trainer, and Use of Force Instructor. Coach Alvarado has instructed hundreds of new correctional staff as well as veteran officers in the above mentioned disciplines.
Mike Sugermeyer
Board Member
Mike Sugermeyer is a 2009 graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School. He received a Bachelor of
Arts in Psychology from Rhode Island College and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from
Western New England University.
He started his coaching career as an assistant wrestling coach at Western New England University in
2013 and founded Bay State Wrestling in 2014.
Mike has been the head wrestling coach at Western New England University since 2015 and has coached
6 NCAA All Americans, 16 NWCA Scholar All Americans and the school’s first NCAA National Champion.
In 2019, Mike was named the Massachusetts College Wrestling Coach of the Year and in 2020 was named
the NWCA Division III Northeast Regional Coach of the Year.
Mike was recently tasked with starting the first NCAA DIII women’s wrestling program in New England at WNEU.
Edward Henry
Board Member
Edward Henrys accolades
Athletic & Wrestling:
Springfield Technical High School 1971-74 – Football, Wrestling & Track
Mass Maritime Academy 1974-78 – Football, Wrestling & Lacrosse
Springfield Athletic Hall of Fame
Officiating & Miscellaneous:
40+ Years as an active High School and College wrestling official
Board Member (current) – Richard D. Molbury Memorial Scholarship
Board Member (past) – William J. Pickett Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament
Youth Coach – West Springfield, MA
Professional Work:
Retired Project Manager (34 Years) – w/PMP Certificate
29 Years Project Engineer, Project Manager, Project Director – General Electric – Power Boiler Division
5 Years – Director of Project Management Department – US Power Boiler Divison
Jose Escribano
Board Member
Jose Escribano is the Chief of Family and Community Engagement for the Springfield Public Schools. He served as a principal prior to his current position. Jose holds a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and School Adjustment Counseling along with his Administrators license.
Jose was a standout wrestler in FL winning state freestyle titles and was the number one qualifier representing FL at freestyle nationals. As an assistant coach, he was a part of many of Central High Schools state championship teams. For three years he served as the head Greco Roman coach for MA producing several All of Americans.