Dan Mayo

Induction Year: 2025

Category: Wrestling

Location: Sachem

Daniel graduated from Sachem in 1983 as a 1st Team All-American, and National & State Champion under Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer Jack Mahoney.

It was at Penn State where Mayo solidified his legacy as a two-time Division 1 All-American, 1988 NCAA Finalist, and a third-place finisher in 1987. His ’87 team would become the Nation’s #1 Dual Meet Team, and Mayo returned as the ’88 Team Captain. 

Mayo’s career at PSU ended with his induction into the prestigious Eastern Wrestling Hall of Fame as a three-time conference champion, having lost only one conference match in his career, which was due to a medical forfeit.

After his loss to Royce Alger in the 1988 NCAA Finals, Mayo graduated and moved to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill. 

He made his way back to Penn State University as a graduate assistant, which allowed him to begin competing at the senior level as a member of the New York Athletic Club in New York City. 

The NYAC allowed Mayo to compete in major international events, where he made his mark by beating many world medalists and NCAA Champions. *Mayo was a member of Team Foxcatcher from 1990 to 96. *He earned a spot on Team USA in 1992 and 1994. Defeating World Champion Chris Campbell at the ’91 US Open was an accomplishment not many have ever achieved: Daniel Mayo beat the best wrestler in the world.

As an assistant coach at Rider University, Mayo played a key role in their success, as they won five conference titles in six seasons, while producing numerous All-American wrestlers.

For his service to the sport, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2024.