March 28, 2024

Veteran Coach & Teacher Galligan Leads EP Back to Division I

Coach Tom Galligan starting his 33rd year as Townie wrestling coach

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East Providence High wrestling coach, Tom Galligan, is entering his 33rd year as Townie Head Coach. Quietly but not so quickly, EPHS Wrestling coach Tom Galligan has become one of the senior coaches in East Providence. Only retired teacher Bill McEnery, who still coaches in the system, has been at it longer. Galligan is also one of the more veteran teachers in the system. Galligan teaches the highly successful construction technology class at the EPHS Career & Tech Center. His classes are popular with students and many of his former students have gone on to the construction and carpentry profession. Construction teacher by day and wrestling coach after school and evenings, Galligan has been around EPHS for a long time. He is a graduate of EPHS and was an athlete himself when in school. A noted football player and wrestler, Galligan has continued the rich tradition of skilled wrestlers in EP. “I don’t really count the years, I just know I’ve been here for a long time,” Galligan chuckles during a recent practice.

Like other public schools in the state, East Providence has seen certain sports go up and down in Divisions due to enrollments and private school advantages. Townie wrestling has always been a top Division I contender had recently dropped to Division II to rebuild the program. The Townies did that and were undefeated in the 2021-22 regular season. Galligan and school administrators have agreed to rejoin Division I this year and expect to compete at a high level. “Our sport was impacted more than others with COVID due to the athlete-to-athlete close contact,” Galligan explained recently. “We have a large squad back this year and they are working hard. It will be a challenge, but I feel good that we’re back in Division I. We should be ready by state tournament time after the dual and multi-school meets are done,” he added.

Recently the wrestling team competed in the Brendan Grant Memorial wrestling tournament held in Belmont Massachusetts. As a team the Townies placed 2nd. “I was pleased with our performance against some tough teams,” said Galligan. “Having a great day for us were Machar Francis, Jacob Francis, Jordan Carl and Simon Palumbo, all placing 4th. With Brady DeRoy taking a 3rd place, Matt Marlow and Martim Moniz making it to the finals and taking a 2nd place and Charles Phillips and Robbie Amaral taking home the title for their respective weight classes, we finished 2nd overall.” Up next for the Townies is a home match on Wednesday, January 11th against always tough Chariho.

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