Distinguished Member

Chris Campbell - Chris Campbell won two NCAA titles and three Big Ten crowns for the Hawkeyes in the 1970s. He was a member of the 1980 Olympic team and won a world freestyle crown in 1981. Then, after years of retirement, he made a remarkable comeback and won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics.

Nate Carr - Nate Carr was a three-time NCAA champion for the Cyclones in the early 1980's. His last two titles were achieved via overtime wins over his greatest rival - Oklahoma State's Kenny Monday, an NCAA, world and Olympic champion. Carr was a bronze medalist at the 1988 Olympics.

Bobby Douglas - Bobby Douglas was the first African American wrestler to represent the United States twice in the Olympics. He finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics and won world championship silver and bronze medals. He coached at the collegiate level for 33 years and won a team title at Arizona State in 1988. The most noteworthy accomplishment of his coaching career was Cael Sanderson. Douglas is the first African American inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Greg Gibson - For Greg Gibson, the most versatile of athletes, wrestling success came in three styles and in three decades. In an international career that spanned 29 years, Gibson is the only American wrestler to win world medals in three international styles: Greco-Roman, freestyle and sombo. He was twice an NCAA runner-up wrestling for Oregon.

Kevin Jackson - Kevin Jackson won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics and titles at the 1991 and 1995 world championships. He was as a runner-up at the 1987 NCAA tournament for Iowa State, when the Cyclones ended Iowa's nine year run at the top. He is currently the head freestyle coach for USA Wrestling. 

Leroy Kemp - A referees' split decision loss to Iowa's Chuck Yagla in the 1975 NCAA final prevented Lee Kemp from becoming the first four-time NCAA champion. Kemp also had an outstanding international career and was a three-time world champion. Kemp made the 1980 Olympic team and was an overwhelming favorite to win gold, until President Carter's boycott.

Kenny Monday - At the Seoul Olympics, Kenny Monday became the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling. He also won a world championship in 1989 and a silver medal in Barcelona. He was an NCAA champion in 1984 and a runner-up in 1982 and 1983.


Outstanding American

Kevin Short - Kevin Short, former high school wrestling champion, is now a highly sought after Bass-Baritone. Since his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1991, he has sung in over 125 performances at the Met. He has won top honors at the International Verdi Competition and the Roca Ponselle International Vocal Competition.


Lifetime Achievement for Officials

Mike Allen - During his 25+ years of officiating, Mike Allen has worked 15 NCAA Championships and a host of other major college events including numerous conference tournaments. The first African American to officiate in the Iowa state tournament, he has officiated at 20 Iowa High School Championships and other national high school tournaments.

Charles Douglas - After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, Charles Douglas began his 38-year officiating career at the high school and collegiate level. His list of events encompassed many Division II tournaments, major conference meets and 15 Division I NCAA Championships. 

Fred Richardson - Fred Richardson learned the art of officiating from Dr. Ray Sparks while in the military. During his 35 years of officiating experience, Richardson has worked 15 NCAA Division I championships, 20 EIWA championships, several NCAA Division II championships and eight Pennsylvania high school state tournaments.

Bobby Walton - Bobby Walton has been an outstanding official at all levels, scholastic, collegiate and international, for more than two decades. He has worked many of the important events of the season, including the Big Eight, U.S. Senior Nationals, ASICS Cadet and Junior Nationals and the Sunshine Open.


Medal of Courage

Dock Kelly - Dock Kelly has only one foot and one functional hand - and an enormous heart. As a 126-pound wrestler for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro he enjoyed an outstanding senior season in 1996. He posted a 22-7 record with four falls placed third in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships.

© 2008
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum