USA Wrestling has received a special marketing award from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for the second year in a row. The honor recognizes the most unique and creative National Governing Body marketing initiatives for the year. 

The 2009 Night of Champions, organized by USA Wrestling was recognized. The event featured accomplished International athletes both in hockey and wrestling. USA Wrestling partnered with USA Hockey to host a special fundraising campaign program, by promoting the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The event was held in Bernardsville, N.J. on November 9th. 

The NGB Market News explains in further detail the USA Wrestling and USA Hockey partnership with this program:

Unique NGB cooperative effort…USA Wrestling partnered with USA Hockey in their annual Night of Champions fundraiser to raise awareness among their core Tri-State Region Boosters about the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The night was themed as a send-off for the USA Hockey Olympians with the Women's Hockey National Team in attendance as well as special guests, Mike Eruzione, the co-captain of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team, and Jake Herbert, the 2009 U.S. World Championships Silver Medalist for Freestyle Wrestling.

Athletes and leaders from both sports demonstrated teamwork for the Olympic Spirit by collaborating at the function. This was an opportunity for the public to interact with members of the Olympic family and enjoy sharing the Olympic Spirit for a good cause. 

This event provided donors a great opportunity to show their support of USA Wrestling and USA Hockey. The success of this event expresses what the sport means to members of these organizations. 

"With 45 national governing bodies all working to find unique and creative ways to support their organization's mission, we are proud to have one of USA Wrestling's marketing initiatives recognized among the years finest," said Larry Nugent, USA Wrestling's Director of Development. Special thanks go to USA Wrestling's Manager of Development Harry Kalofonos for his tireless and skilled work. The USA Wrestling Long Range Planning Committee provided the roadmap for considering such an unusual partnership. A huge thank you goes to the NJ Night of Champions Committee, without which we could not pull off such a project."