Ritter begins his sixth season at the helm of the Oneonta State wrestling team after leading the program to a 65-32-2 combined five year record, which includes three top-26 NCAA Championship team finishes. Last season the Red Dragons continued their success, qualifying for the NCAA Div. III National Championships in Cedar Rapids IA, where they were honored with its 5th (NWCA) NCAA Scholar All-American Team Award, and had two individuals honored as NCAA Division III Scholar All-Americans (NWCA).

In his first five seasons at the helm of the program Ritter has coached eight NCAA national qualifiers, 12 NCAA Scholar All-Americans, three NCAA All-Americans, 24 Collegiate All-State wrestlers, six Conference Champions, three ESPN Academic All-Americans, 24 SUNYAC Commissioners List and 51 conference All-Academic Team honorees, four NWCA Scholar All-American teams, and the programs first three individuals to achieve the “100 Career NCAA Wins” milestone.

Ritter took over the program during the 2004-05 seasons and guided his first team to a program record 16 wins (16-4 season record). In 2005 Ritter was nominated for the NCAA Division III Rookie Coach of Year award and was named honorable mention Division III Coach of the Year by www.thewresltingmall.com that same season.

Prior to being hired as the 3rd Head Wrestling Coach in the program’s 50 year history. Ritter spent four years as the top bench assistant for the Red Dragons program under the mentorship of 38 year Hall of Fame (NY State, NCAA Division III, & National Wrestling Hall of Fame) Coach Al Sosa. As an Assistant Coach Ritter was instrumental in developing a new level of success for the program, and was involved in all aspects of the wrestling program including practice development, recruiting, and serving as both the Coordinator of community service projects and the “Academic Enhancement Program”. Ritter has a very strong sense of commitment to both wrestling and academics and is able to successfully convey this enthusiasm to his student athletes.

Ritter’s extensive volunteer work has earned him community service awards and recognition from various local, national, and campus organizations including Opportunities for Otsego, Oneonta Middle School, SUNY Oneonta EOP, The Center for Social Responsibility and Community, Community Connections, and Ameri-Corps. He completed two years of National Service (over 2,000 volunteer hours) with the SUNY Oneonta Ameri-Corps Rural School Empowerment program. Ritter spent a year and half working as a Counselor (CMHS) at Catholic Charities of Chenango (Trillium Place), during which time served as a Senior Counselor, Case Manger, and Recreational Therapist. In 2003-04 Ritter took a position with the department of Residence Life and served as the full time Residence Hall Director for Wilber Hall while continuing as the Assistant Wrestling Coach and an Adjunct Faculty member on Campus. Ritter is a native of Muncy, Pennsylvania and graduated from Hughesville HS in 1995. He is a 2000 double (BA) degree graduate of Wilkes University where he was a triple major in Psychology, Sociology, and Secondary Education (Social Studies). Ritter has started working towards a Master’s degree in Education at Oneonta State with a concentration in school counseling K-12.

While at Wilkes Ritter competed as a Division I scholarship athlete in the EIWA’s for his first two seasons starting as a true freshmen and receiving the team's “Most Outstanding Wrestler Award” at the conclusion of his sophomore year. Following a mixed NCAA Division I, II, and III provisional season in which he posted a 29-5 season record, and a “Medical Hardship," Ritter returned as a non-scholarship athlete to compete for a final season with the Cornels during their first return season at the NCAA Division III level. Ritter was nationally ranked and compiled a 28-3 season record that year while finishing All-Conference in the M.A.C and winning the Spartan Invitational. He earned Scholar All-America honors as both a Div. I and Div. III wrestler while serving as team captain for three seasons. Ritter was also honored with the “Most Courageous Performer” and the “Coaches Academic Award” while competing for Wilkes. He was the recipient of the University Scholarship for Wrestling and Academics and was inducted into two International Honors Societies; Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology), and Phi Alph Theta (History).

Ritter currently serves as the Oneonta State Fitness Director and Adjunct Faculty for the Physical Education Department as well as Head Wrestling Coach. He resides in the Oneonta area with his wife Katie and their daughter Ashton.

Cooper is entering his third year as the 1st assistant on the Oneonta wrestling coaching Staff. He brings to O-State 24 years of successful wrestling experience at all levels.

A native of Walton NY, he excelled in wrestling and football at near by Walton High School. Cooper entered the US Army immediately after graduating high school and while in the Army, continued his wrestling success as a three-time All-Army Wrestling team member, training with Olympic caliber wrestlers from all over the country. Unfortunately, Cooper’s dream of competing internationally fell short after an untimely knee surgery, ended his All-Army wrestling experience.

Upon completion of his term of service with the US Military, Cooper attended and graduated from Oneonta State. He was a four-year starter, a two time team captain, and a NY Collegiate All-State wrestler for the Red Dragons. Cooper was a team captain and major team leader on the 2005 wrestling team which set a program record for dual meet wins (16-4) and recorded the programs highest NCAA Championship team finish to date (14th).

Having spent most of his life in the area, Cooper has strong community ties and an excellent knowledge of local athletic values. Cooper is currently employed as the Distribution Manager at The Daily Star; Oneonta’s hometown Newspaper. He resides in the Milford/Cooperstown area with his Fiancée Michele.