Ewing, NJ ... Dave Icenhower, the Lions' wrestling coach for 35 years at The College of New Jersey, passed away early Saturday morning.

Known to most everyone as 'Ice', he was a beloved figure who touched the lives of so many TCNJ family members. Ice was cherished in the wrestling community and will be deeply missed in so many circles, in so many ways.

"The college is deeply saddened by the passing of Dave Icenhower," said TCNJ president R. Barbara Gitenstein. "Ice put TCNJ's wrestling program on the national stage, earning us five NCAA titles. As impressive as this achievement was, he took even greater pride in what his student athletes achieved following graduation. He was a great coach, mentor, and colleague and will be sorely missed.  I will personally miss his wise and principled presence in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Icenhower family."

One of the most successful coaches at any collegiate level, Ice is a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He guided the Lions to their first title in school history in 1979 and retired after 35 successful seasons at TCNJ in 2011.

Ice was much more than a wrestling coach to those who encountered his vibrance and inspiring persona. He embodied the character traits that he imparted into so many of his pupils in the wrestling room. Ice was devoted, fearless, persistent and intuitive. He did it all with class, and at the end of the day, a smile.

TCNJ coaches, administrators, staff and Lions wrestlers are deeply saddened by his passing. They lost a wonderful friend and their thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy, daughter, Christie and two sons, David, Jr and Jared. A moment of silence was held in his honor at the homecoming football, soccer and field hockey games.

Anyone who wishes to pay respects to Dave Icenhower, the viewing will be held on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home in Hamilton, NJ. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church in Lawrenceville, NJ. In celebration of Ice, all wishing to attend are inivited to gather at noon  in the Mercer Oaks reception hall in West Windsor, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Coach Icenhower are being accepted for the David Icenhower Wrestling Endowment Fund at TCNJ to support the TSC/TCNJ wrestling program.

Wrestling community pays tribute to Ice