Bobby Good was exactly what his surname means and much, much more during his career on the mat, and he will soon garner some richly deserved glory when the city native and local legend of the sport will be honored among the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductees.

The former East Providence High School star and undefeated state champion at 138 pounds in the 1976-77 season will be recognized with the rest of this year's Hall entrants during a ceremony on Thursday night, April 25, at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

Good's impressive credentials not only include his time as a Townie, but also in the years that followed. He graduated EPHS in spring of 1977 then briefly wrestled in college at Louisiana State University. Good's grappling reputation grew significantly next when he enlisted in the United States Army and wrestled around the country and the globe, winning several championships and participating in the 1988 Olympic Trials.

"I didn't get here alone. I had a lot of help from East Providence," said Good, who was notified of the honor while working out at Planet Fitness across Pawtucket Avenue from the new EPHS.

"When I found out, I almost fell off the treadmill," Good continued. "I went home and told and hugged my wife (Debi). I knew this day would come. People would ask me why I wasn't in already, and I said I'll just bide my time. I'll wait."

Good credited among others his own relatives and friends, the Gasbarro family and members of the city's Cape Verdean community for their support throughout his career.

Good has spent recent years passing on his wisdom to youngsters at his alma mater, volunteering as an assistant of the staff of fellow EPHS wrestling legend and head coach Tom Galligan.

"Bobby is just a fantastic guy, a fantastic human being," said Galligan, himself still a relatively new RI Wrestling Hall of Fame member after being inducted just last year in the Class of 2023.

At EPHS, Good went undefeated his final two years and was named as a high school All-American. If not for a slight misstep of being overweight for states as a junior for the Townies he likely would have been a two-time state champ as well.

His time on the mat really took off in the military a few years later. Between 1985-87 at the US Army Europe and Africa Championships he won consecutive freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at 149.5 pounds. In 1988, he won the Southern Olympic Trial Qualifying Championships then later finished fifth at the finals to just miss out earning trip to the summer games in Seoul, South Korea.

Also of note, showing his overall athletic prowess, Good played one season for the Townies on the EPHS boys' soccer team where he became an All-State player and helped the squad to the 1976 state title.

"He was a phenomenal athlete and is a great coach," said Galligan, a 1978 EPHS grad who wrestled with Good as a Townie. "And he's down to earth. When I was new to the team as a sophomore in high school, remember (EPHS) was only three years back then, he was already a superstar, but he took me under his wing, treated me like an equal. He was and is just a great guy."

Tickets for the 2024 induction ceremony are $45 apiece and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-rhode-island-wrestling-hof-banquet-tickets-857329293997?aff=oddtdtcreator.