Lee Roy Smith named Executive Director of National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

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National Wrestling Hall of Fame ()
09/10/2004


 Lee Roy Smith, former head wrestling coach at Arizona State University, has been appointed as the Executive Director of the  National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Jim Keen, Sr., Chairman, announced today.     "We are privileged to have someone of Lee Roy Smith's stature to be our new Executive Director at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.  His esteemed reputation in the national wrestling community and his passion for the sport will be a  true asset for the Hall."     Smith, an NCAA champion at Oklahoma State University and 1983  World silver medalist, served as head wrestling coach at Arizona State University from 1992 2001 and four times was chosen Pac-10  Conference Coach  of the Year.     A native of Del City, Oklahoma, Smith also served as National Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling from 1989-1992, and had coached in Martigny,Switzerland and at Oklahoma  State. He retired from coaching in 2001 to focus on a career in fundraising.     Recently, Smith held positions as Director of Development at Subiaco Abbey and Academy in Subiaco, Arkansas and at the University of Florida, Gainesville. His primary focus at the Hall of Fame will be financial  development.      In Stillwater, Smith will be assisted by Administrative Assistant, Ms. Debbie McAuliff, consultant JoAnn  Roderick and several volunteers  including retired Hall of Fame President Myron Roderick and the Board of Governors.     Lee Roy and his wife, Lisa, and daughters Shannon, 14, and LeAnne, 16, are looking forward to returning to Stillwater.     "This is a dream job for me in that I will have the opportunity to integrate my professional skills with  one of my great passions, the sport of wrestling, to advance the mission of the Hall and Museum. I am looking forward to working with and for a highly  accomplished and dedicated  Board of Governors to preserve the history of the sport, recognize its heroes and inspire future generations," Smith said.