Ralph A. Serafine papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: RITArc-0163

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Ralph A. Serafine papers consist of items related to Serafine and his time at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The collection includes sevearl photographs of Serafine and fellow wrestler Kenneth Becker, while they were students at Institute. There is also a photograph of Serafine at the RIT Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet when he was granted the honor in 1984. Similarly, there are news clippings, correspondence, and programs related to Serafine's induction, as well as information on how members of the Hall of Fame are chosen.

In addition, the collection includes programs, clippings, and schedules for the Institute's wrestling team from 1933. There are also various pieces of memorabilia such as medals, a sweater letter, felt numbers for Serafine's class year, and a copy of a 1930-1931 student handbook. Additionally, there is a copy of Serafine's 1933 yearbook, Ramikin.

Dates

Creation: 1930-1991

Creator

Serafine, Ralph A. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Ralph A. Serafine (1911-1996) was born on January 2, 1911. He graduated from the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (renamed the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944) in 1933 with a diploma in mechanical engineering. While studying at the Institute, Serafine was a member of the men's wrestling team, as well as the "M" club and the student council. Serafine was an accomplished wrestler and was inducted in the Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. During his three seasons of competition, he only lost two bouts. Since the Institute did not grant degrees during the time Serafine was a student, he returned to the university to earn his associate degree twenty years after graduating. He died on June 1, 1996, two years after his wife Lucile.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (1 half document box)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Materials related to Ralph A. Serafine and his wrestling career at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Serafine graduated from RIT in 1933. The collection includes photographs, correspondence, programs, clippings, and various pieces of ephemera and memorabilia from Serafine's time at RIT.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following four series: Photographs, RIT Sports Hall of Fame, Wrestling, Ephemera and Miscellaneous.

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.

Ralph A Serafine papers

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession numbers: 97:04; 06:16

The collection was donated to the RIT Archive Collections by Ralph A. Serafine. They were given to the collection in February 1997 by Edward Fuller, a former wrestling coach at the university. Additional items were given by Fuller in February 2006.