Rex Peery, Myron Roderick and Jack VanBebber. Former OSU coaches Gallagher, Griffith, Roderick, Tommy Chesbro and Joe Seay are all Distinguished Members as are current head coach John Smith and associate coach Eric Guerrero. Other Distinguished Members include Pat Smith, OSU Olympic gold medalists Doug Blubaugh, Kendall Cross, Frank Lewis, Kenny Monday, Bobby Pearce, Yojiro Uetake, Shelby Wilson and VanBebber.
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lthough OSU alumni Jess Hoke and Dr. Melvin Jones did not step onto the mat for the Cowboys, they are both Distinguished Members for their contributions to the sport. Hoke founded Amateur Wrestling News in 1956. The first national publication devoted to wrestling, AWN had a monumental impact on wrestling’s growth across the country and remains America’s oldest and most respected wrestling publication. Jones earned his doctorate degree at 24 and became the youngest full professor at OSU four years later. When Roderick took the dream of a Hall of Fame to him, Jones organized a corporation and raised $600,000, making good on his promise that the building would be delivered debt-free. Many see Jones as one of the biggest reasons that the Hall of Fame exists.
The life-size green marble statue creates an awe-inspiring entry to the Distinguished Members Gallery. The statue is a copy of the classic Greek artwork The Wrestlers by Cephisodotus, located in the Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy. The Hall has sections to recognize former wrestlers who have achieved success off the mat (Outstanding American) or who have overcome almost insurmountable obstacles (Medal of Courage). There are also awards to recognize outstanding officials (Meritorious Official) and individuals who have impacted the sport but not as a wrestler or coach (Order of Merit). The Hall of Fame has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world and displays some of it in the Paul K. Scott Museum of History section. The new set-up allows the memorabilia to be changed, exhibiting different items throughout the year. Visitors are encouraged to take pictures throughout the museum, including on medal award platforms from the 1984 Olympics and the 2015 World Championships. Interactive exhibits feature wrestling moves, a glossary of terms, high school facts and information about United States presidents who wrestled.
OSU Head Wrestling Coach John Smith, left, Associate Wrestling Coach Eric Guerrero and Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum Lee Roy Smith, right, view the renovated displays.
The Hall of Fame has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world.
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WINTER 2016