Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend features historic firsts, watch the award presentations online
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/26/2006
Honors Social Photos
Award Banquet Photos
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum will be hosting its 30th Honors Weekend in Stillwater, Okla., June 2-3.
All four of the Distinguished Members who will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this weekend in Stillwater, Okla. have achieved some incredible firsts during their careers in wrestling.
THE FIRST WOMAN INDUCTED
Tricia Saunders of Phoenix, Ariz., a four-time World champion wrestler and coach of the historic 2004 U.S. Olympic women's wrestling team, will be the first woman inducted as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.
Tricia Saunders Hall of Fame biography
Awards Banquet Speech
THE FIRST FOUR-TIME NCAA DIV. I CHAMPION
Pat Smith of Stillwater, Okla. was the first to win four NCAA Div. I wrestling titles, competing for Oklahoma State Univ. He won his historic fourth NCAA title at the 1994 NCAA Championships held in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Pat Smith Hall of Fame biography
Awards Banquet Speech
THE FIRST U.S. REFEREE AT AN OLYMPIC GAMES
Josiah Henson of Tulsa, Okla. was the first U.S. wrestling referee to work at an Olympic Games, when he officiated at the Olympics in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.
Josiah Henson Hall of Fame biography
Awards Banquet Speech
THE FIRST TWIN WORLD CHAMPIONS INDUCTED
Tom and Terry Brands became the first twin brothers to win World gold medals the same year when they captured World titles at the 1993 World Freestyle Championships in Toronto, Canada. Terry Brands of Colorado Springs, Colo. is being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this year. His twin brother Tom was inducted in 2001. They now become the first twin brother world champions to be in ducted into the Hall of Fame.
Terry Brands Hall of Fame biography
Awards Banquet Speech
In addition to the induction of Distinguished Members, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has a number of other special awards given each year during Honors Weekend.
OUTSTANDING AMERICAN TO CHAMPION JOCKEY
Pat Day of Louisville, Ky., a Kentucky Derby winner as a jockey and one of the greatest riders in racing history, is being inducted as an Outstanding American.
Pat Day Hall of Fame announcement
Awards Banquet Speech
INTERNATIONAL LEADER TO RECEIVE ORDER OF MERIT
Larry Sciacchetano of Baton Rouge, La., who has served on the FILA Bureau, the governing council of the international federation, and as USA Wrestling's president, will receive the Order of Merit.
Larry Sciacchetano Hall of Fame announcement
Awards Banquet Speech
BLIND MAYOR TO RECEIVE MEDAL OF COURAGE
Randy Meyer of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., who was an All-American wrestler in college, will receive the Medal of Courage. Blind since the age of two, Meyers became a success in school and in business and is now the mayor of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
Randy Meyer Hall of Fame announcement
Awards Banquet Speech
LIFETIME OFFICIALS AWARD TO RESPECTED REFEREE
Sam Williams of Fall Creek. Pa., a top referee in international, high school and college wrestling for almost 40 years, will receive the Lifetime Achievement for Officials award. He was one of the founders of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association.
Sam Williams Hall of Fame announcement
Awards Banquet Speech
FLORIDA PREP STAR TO RECEIVE HIGH SCHOOL AWARD
David Craig of Brandon, Fla., a four-time high school state champion, Junior National double champion and 3.58 GPA student will receive the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.
David Craig Hall of Fame announcement
Awards Banquet Speech
HALL OF FAME HONORS WEEKEND SCHEDULE