Sep 5, 2024 2 min read

A local legend who played an important part of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s rich wrestling culture for over four decades was honored recently at the PONY League World Series.

Mark Uriah, a well-known announcer for WJPA sports radio, was honored after announcing earlier this year that he was signing off after 41 years of providing play-by-play accounts of local matches.

Our area is a wrestling powerhouse, and Mark has been an important part of the equation.

He is known in the wrestling community for his ability to handle marathon broadcasts, and articulate wrestling maneuvers and situations with color and accuracy; he is so skilled that he can announce numerous matches on as many as eight mats at a time. Try that sometime, it’s not easy.

As a PIAA wrestling official for 53 years, I’ve been privileged to work many matches announced by Mark. I found him to be fair, unbiased, factual and knowledgeable. He never demeaned a wrestler, coach, fans, or wrestling referees (even if we deserved it). As a result, he was respected by everyone involved with the sport.

On many cold, dark winter evenings, Mark brought accurate portrayals of rivalry matches into our homes. He knew the ins and outs of wrestling and how to keep fans interested and engaged.

While broadcasting at the PIAA State wrestling tournaments, Mark often stayed at the arena for hours at a time to make sure the fans at home were able to follow local wrestlers as they progressed through the brackets. He had to sneak in time for comfort breaks and food. If he didn’t love his job so much it would have been grueling.

Mark will always be remembered as a highly respected, professional journalist, and a genuinely good person. To say that he will be greatly missed in the wrestling community is an understatement.

Larry Maggi

Washington

Larry Maggi is a Washington County commissioner.