EST. 1995
Carrying the legacy forward
$1.3M+
Scholarships and donations awarded
WNY STUDENT ATHLETES
Supporting wrestlers and leaders
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Fundraisers that bring people together
About the Scholarship Awards
Recognizing achievement, character, and community
The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Awards are presented each year to Western New York student-athletes who excel in academics as well as athletics while contributing to their families and communities. These awards were established through the efforts of Bud Carpenter, Randy Ribbeck, Jim Kelly, and the entire Buffalo Bills organization, who believed that Ilio DiPaolo’s strong convictions in education, athletics, and family were essential for success. Ilio also believed that as your success grew, so should the support you give your community.
The first year, the fund was fortunate to award two scholarships through the financial support of friends, organizations, businesses, and individuals who believed in the mission. Then came Legends, the idea of Mark Stone, which brought pro wrestling back to Buffalo in Ilio DiPaolo’s name, raising over $350,000 for the Children’s Hospital, the Buffalo Police Athletic League, Hunter’s Hope, and many other organizations.
The Scholarship Fund has grown through the Annual Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Celebrity Golf Classic, the Hanes Supply Sports Nite, and the Celebrity Chef Dinner, as well as through the sale of Ilio DiPaolo brand products in local grocery stores. A special recognition goes to all the people who have volunteered their time to make the Scholarship Fund a successful reality.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Seven awards that honor seven legacies
Each award in the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship program carries the name and memory of someone who shaped wrestling, community, and character in Western New York and beyond.
Galanti Family
Winner: Griffin LaPlante
The flagship award of the fund. Given to a college-bound student athlete who has become an accomplished wrestler through dedication, skill, and sportsmanship while maintaining scholastic achievement and citizenship. This award honors the memory and the high ideals of professional Hall of Fame Wrestler Ilio DiPaolo.
Criteria focus: Academic achievement, athletic accomplishment, sportsmanship, and citizenship.
Gary Castanza Award
Winner: Rory White
Named after Gary Castanza, who was revolutionary in his field, training police and security forces along with Green Berets. His audiovisual training programs led to work with NFL players. His world-renowned martial arts skills and endless support of charitable organizations and individuals showed his belief in community and family.
Criteria focus: Martial arts and athletic excellence, community support, and belief in family.
"Destroyer" Wrestling Award
winner: Cullen Edwards
Named after Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, who wrestled for and captained the Syracuse Football Team to their first Bowl appearance. Inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, his tireless effort to support the community is legendary. He wrestled over 8,000 matches in his career.
Criteria focus: Wrestling excellence, community dedication, and athletic legacy.
Bill Hein Award (Most Dedicated)
Winners: Trevor and Bryce DellaPenta
This award honors Bill Hein, whose passion for wrestling elevated the sport on all levels. It is given to a wrestler who displays the same love and commitment to the sport that Bill showed throughout his life.
Criteria focus: Love of the sport, dedication, and commitment at all levels.
Cauliflower Alley Club Award
winner: Michaela Thomas
This award is given in recognition of the values celebrated by the Cauliflower Alley Club: fellowship, achievement, and the lasting bonds forged through a life in wrestling.
Criteria focus: Fellowship, wrestling achievement, and community within the sport.
Knuutila Family Award
winner: Carmine Calimeri
Given in honor of Linda Knuutila, a scholarship committee member who passed away in 2018, and her family’s wholehearted commitment to the sport of wrestling. This award recognizes a student who emulates the qualities the Knuutila family holds true: an overachiever who is persistent, has experienced a setback in life, yet persevered. The winner consistently shows the ability to place teammates and team before themselves, helps those around them become better athletes and better people, and is the athlete on the team you simply cannot do without.
Criteria focus: Overachievement, persistence after setback, team-first mentality, and personal growth.
Harrison Phillips Award
winner: William Wortkoetter
Harrison Phillips was the third-round draft pick in 2018 out of Stanford University. He was a four-time All-Academic and All-Conference athlete, a three-time Team Captain, and a three-time undefeated State Heavyweight Wrestling Champion with a record of 28-0. He also founded the Harrison Phillips Playmakers Foundation for disadvantaged youth. This award is given to someone who exemplifies these qualities in academics, commitment, and community service.
Criteria focus: Academic excellence, athletic achievement, commitment, and community service.
Buffalo Joe Andreessen Award
Winner: Edwin Martin
A special award proudly added by the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Committee to honor a wrestler who shows aggressive, persistent, and unyielding drive. Given to a student athlete who demonstrates virtue, work ethic, and a strong belief in a purpose greater than themselves, whether rooted in faith, family, friends, or community.
Criteria focus: Determination, perseverance, work ethic, virtue, and purpose beyond self.
Apply for a Scholarship
Could you be next year’s winner?
The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund accepts applications from Western New York student athlete wrestlers each spring. If you demonstrate academic achievement, athletic excellence, and a commitment to your community, we encourage you to apply.
