Orlando Turco played football and wrestled at Ithaca High. He was Section IV wrestling champion his junior year and was captain of the wrestling team in his senior year. After graduating in 1952, Orlando attended Cornell, where he wrestled for four years. He became head coach of the Ithaca High wrestling team in 1956, and remained the head coach for 31 seasons. He compiled a record of 321-110-9, guiding 240 individual wrestlers to championships at various levels, including 9 State champions, 57 Section IV champions, and 37 Class A champions. His teams won the Section IV championship 10 times. In 1987 he was named the northeast regional high school coach of the year. In 2002 the School Board named the Ithaca High wrestling room in his honor. He is a member of the Section IV, New York State and National Wrestling Halls of Fame.