Julius D’Agostino made a lasting impact on the community of Pearl River and Rockland County. “Dag” or Coach Dag, as he was affectionately known to all, moved to Rockland County in 1960. For 32 years Dag taught, coached, and guided the youth of Pearl River with enthusiasm in a very professional manner. Growing up in nearby Clifton, New Jersey, Dag was a member of the Clifton High School New Jersey state football championship team. He was also a first-team All-State baseball player and went on to play semi-pro baseball for Milford, Massachusetts, and won a tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies. After serving his country in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955, Dag enrolled at Springfield College. While there Dag was a starter on the varsity baseball team for two years, and an outstanding gymnast on the fabled Springfield College gymnastics team. In 1960 Dag was hired by the Pearl River School District as a physical education teacher and varsity baseball coach. Dag served as the varsity baseball coach until 1968. During his tenure as baseball coach Dag was awarded Rockland County Coach of the Year honors by The Journal News in 1962 and 1964. In 1967 Dag was appointed to the position of varsity wrestling coach at Pearl River, a sport he fell in love with. His positive attitude and tremendous love of kids led him to be one of the most successful wrestling coaches in Rockland County history. From 1967 to 1978, and then again from 1989 to 1993, Dag and the Pirates amassed a record of 127 wins and only 41 losses with 2 ties. His teams had two undefeated seasons and four straight county championships (1967-1970), and at one point Dag’s Pirates had a streak of 28 straight dual-meet victories. In1974 Pearl River was the No. 7 ranked wrestling team in New York State, and in 1975 the Pirates were the Section 9 champions. Six times during Dag’s wrestling coaching career he was The Journal News Coach of the Year. Dag’s wrestlers won 21 individual section championships and he had 20 all-state wrestlers, including four state finalists. Dag was more than just a baseball and wrestling coach. He never passed up an opportunity to help the youth of Pearl River. Dag coached varsity golf, JV and modified football, swimming and diving at the Pearl River Nauraushaun Swim Club, and, in the off-season, Dag started the Pearl River Wrestling Club. He found time to be a Rockland County baseball official for 20 years and a Section 9 wrestling referee for 25 years.Every year at the Rockland County Wrestling Tournament the most prestigious honor awarded is the Julius D’Agostino Service Award. It is awarded to a person who has unselfishly given his life and energy to the sport of wrestling. Dag’s ability to motivate young athletes made him a unique person and a natural leader who was a great example of how to live your life. One of Dag’s former wrestlers, John Scanlon, sums it up best by stating, “Dag was beyond a coach, he filled the void of my missing father.”