National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum and hall of fame for amateur wrestling, headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 2010, it began operating the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.

Entrance to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, located on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater

History

The museum was awarded to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1972 by a decision of the United States Wrestling Federation, which chose Stillwater over a competing bid from Waterloo, Iowa.[1] The museum opened on September 11, 1976.

In 2010, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame absorbed the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, previously operated by the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum.[2] The Dan Gable Museum had opened in 1998 in Newton, Iowa, and moved to Waterloo in 2006.[3]

In May 2016, the NWHOF voted to revoke all honors given to Dennis Hastert after his conviction, the first time the Hall of Fame has ever punished a now-former inductee.

The museum operates by private donations and state funding. Six people from Oklahoma formed the Hall of Fame corporation: Myron Roderick, Dr. Melvin D. Jones, Ralph Ball, Robert L. McCormick, Bill Aufleger, and Veldo Brewer. Oklahoma State University, through its then-president, Dr. Robert B. Kamm, provided land – at no cost – with a 99-year renewable lease.

Museums

National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma includes the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors, the Paul K. Scott Museum of Wrestling History, the Cliff Keen Theater, and the William S. Hein Library. The museum covers around 15,000 square feet, featuring multiple interactive exhibits and digital kiosks, as well as the ability to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to the present day. The John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors is where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, with Distinguished Members being honored and showcased through granite plaques. The Paul K. Scott Museum of History showcases a portion of the world's largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia, including most collegiate and Olympic uniforms.[4][5]

Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo
Dan Gable Museum located in Waterloo, Iowa

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame also operates the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa which includes the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa,[6] the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, which honors professional wrestlers with a strong background in amateur wrestling, and the Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions. It also features the Dan Gable Teaching Center and its wrestling room, providing opportunities for area youth to train.[7]

State chapters

The Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum established the State Chapter program in 1993. The purpose is to pay tribute to the coaches, officials, and contributors who represent the best qualities of what the sport of wrestling has to offer and who share those characteristics with young people every day. The Hall of Fame and Museum currently has state chapters in 36 states.[8]

United World Wrestling Hall of Fame

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater also contains the UWW Hall of Fame, which honors some of the sport's greatest international wrestlers and coaches.[9][10][11]

See also

References
  1. "Sports in brief: Wrestling", Bangor Daily News, July 25, 1972.
  2. "Hall buys Gable museum", Telegraph Herald, May 27, 2010
  3. "Chapman retires from Dan Gable Museum", The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, November 25, 2009.
  4. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Exhibit | DI Projects. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  5. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Stillwater (accessed 2014-08-17).
  6. "Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame announces Class of 2011". National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum website. Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  7. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Waterloo (accessed 2014-08-17).
  8. State Chapters Archived 2011-05-25 at the Wayback Machine webpage. NWHoF&M website. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  9. "FILA "International Wrestling Hall of Fame, now United World Wrestling Hall of Fame, to be located at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame", themat.com, January 12, 2002.
  10. "Chardon native Kemp inducted into Hall of Fame" Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, The Plain Dealer, August 22, 2008.
  11. FILA Hall of Fame webpage. FILA Wrestling official website. Retrieved 2010-12-23.

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