Al Bevilacqua, the legendary Long Island wrestling coach celebrated for his mentorship and immortalized in a classic “Seinfeld” episode, has died at 85, leaving behind a legacy that shaped generations of athletes and inspired figures from Hollywood to inner-city youth.

Al Bevilacqua, the revered Long Island wrestling coach whose name became immortalized in a 1994 episode of “Seinfeld,” passed away Sunday at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that extended far beyond the mats.

For decades, Bevilacqua was a guiding force for young athletes, instilling discipline, courage, and a relentless work ethic in students who would go on to leave marks in sports, entertainment, and even the pages of history.

Though many remember him from Jerry Seinfeld’s playful mention in “The Race” episode, the coach himself was mostly oblivious to the fame.

“Seinfeld? What is that? A comedy?” his son Michael recalled Al asking with a chuckle. Fame meant little to Bevilacqua. His true passion was mentoring.

He spent nearly 15 years coaching at Massapequa High School in the 1960s and later guided wrestlers at Hofstra University during the late 1970s. His dedication earned him induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012, receiving its highest honor, the Order of Merit.

Christopher Bevilacqua, his son, struggled to condense his father’s life into a brief eulogy. “I don’t know how you can describe his life in two or three minutes,” he said. Al’s philosophy was simple yet profound: wrestling was a vessel to teach life lessons.

“He thought of himself first as an educator who was teaching kids and youth on the subject of life… How do I create better people?” Christopher explained.

Bevilacqua’s influence reached far beyond his hometown. Ron Kovic, the author of *Born on the Fourth of July*, recalled how the coach taught him to never quit — lessons that remained with Kovic even after losing the use of his legs in Vietnam.

“I’m still here because he taught me to never give up,” Kovic said, emphasizing the enduring impact of Al’s guidance.

Even Hollywood felt his presence. When Oliver Stone and Tom Cruise visited the Bevilacqua household for research on the film adaptation of *Born on the Fourth of July*, Al was unflinchingly honest, challenging Stone about the film’s portrayal of patriotism.

Michael Bevilacqua remembered, “My dad goes to Stone, ‘Let me ask you a question: Why do you hate this country so much?’ He wasn’t afraid to stand his ground.”

Al’s mentorship extended into celebrity circles as well. Actor Billy Baldwin described him as “definitely a second father,” recalling philosophical discussions and life lessons that shaped his path.

Al even played a pivotal role in the Baldwin family’s upbringing, providing guidance and discipline when it was most needed.

Beyond the fame, accolades, and Hollywood anecdotes, Al’s crowning achievement was his dedication to grassroots development.

He founded Beat The Streets Wrestling, bringing the sport into inner-city schools and creating opportunities for children who otherwise might never have experienced organized athletics.

“It shows the power of one person doing what they believe in,” his daughter Nora said. “My father passed that on to each of us.”

Al Bevilacqua’s legacy was not just measured in victories on the mat, but in the countless lives he shaped — athletes, actors, students, and community members who continue to carry his lessons forward.

From Massapequa to Hofstra, from Hollywood to inner-city gyms, the impact of his life’s work echoes, a testament to a man who dedicated himself fully to mentoring, inspiring, and teaching others to persevere.

In remembering Al, those whose lives he touched reflect on a simple truth: he fought alongside his students in every sense of the word, and his influence will endure far beyond his passing.