Former Wrestling Coach at West Chester University Passes Away

WEST CHESTER, PA - Former West Chester University wrestling head coach Dale Bonsall passed away Dec. 9. He was 84.

"The Bonz" as he was known to his friends, graduated from West Chester University and later returned to coach the wrestlilng program, before it was discontinued in the late 1980s. He taught Health & Physical Education in the Haverford Township School District and later became an Associate Professor and taught Kinesiology at West Chester while coaching the wrestling team.

Bonsall's accomplishments span the wrestling world from local to national levels. He was inducted into the Collingswood High School (N.J.) Hall of Fame, Haverford Township Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame, and National Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

Bonsall also found success and accolades as a Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Lifeguard. He was a South Jersey and Margate Memorial Rowing Champion, and a member of the Sea Isle City Lifeguard Hall of Fame and Viking Rowing Hall of Fame.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 5 to 8 p.m. at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd, 410 N. Church St. West Chester, Pa., 19380. His funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, Pa., 19380. Interment will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to USA Wrestling, 6155 Lehman Drive, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80918.