NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME TO BENEFIT FROM THE "WRESTLING FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM" CAMPAIGN 
 A JOINT EFFORT INCLUDING USA WRESTLING AND THE NATIONAL WRESTLING COACHES ASSOCIATION AIMS TO RAISE $10 MILLION 
 The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Okla. intends to raise $2 million as part of "Wrestling for the Next Millennium," a joint capital campaign designed to ensure the future of wrestling. 
 USA Wrestling, The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Coaches Association will work together to raise $10 million for the sport of wrestling by the end of the year 2000. The funds will support wrestling not just at the highest level of competition, but also at all levels. 
 Plans for the future of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum are being released to coincide with the NWCA All-Star Classic, featuring the best college athletes in the nation, which will be held at Gallagher Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State Univ. in Stillwater on Monday, Feb. 1.  
 The improvements in the Hall of Fame are currently under construction. Information on the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is available from its President, Myron Roderick and his staff. 
 "On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to express how extremely excited we are to join USA Wrestling and the National Wrestling Coaches Association to advance the great sport of wrestling," said Roderick. 
 The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, which houses an impressive collection of wrestling memorabilia and historic materials, will use $2 million to complete the expansion of its current facility and to endow its Honors Program which recognizes wrestlers young and old for their achievements in the sport and in society.  
 A new wing of the museum will be completed and new displays and special projects will be initiated. A new library collection has been developed and will be available for people to use for research and documentation about the sport of wrestling. 
 Endowing the honors program will ensure that wrestling's best and brightest continue to be recognized for their efforts both on and off the mat. 
 "We are excited about working with our wrestling partners in this campaign," said Jim Scherr, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "With a combined effort, I am extremely confident we shall reach our goals and secure the future of the sport." 
 In addition, monies will be earmarked to help educate coaches, protect existing college and high school programs, attract newcomers to the sport, preserve and promote the history of wrestling, and to help underprivileged youth via USA Wrestling's "Beat the Streets"  grassroots campaign. 
 Each year, the Hall of Fame inducts Distinguished Members, the most successful athletes, coaches and leaders. Currently there are over 100 members enshrined. Also honored are Outstanding Americans, former wrestlers with great achievements in society. And special awards are presented for merit, courage, high school achievement, officiating and lifetime service. 
 "Wrestling for the Next Millennium" is chaired by business leader Scott Beck, a former chairman of Blockbuster Video and founder of Boston Chicken and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Honorary co-chairs are Dan Gable and Nancy Schultz, widow of Olympic champion Dave Schultz. 
 "Four years of high school wrestling had an absolutely transforming influence on my own life," Beck said. "On the mat I learned the lessons of commitment, hard work, passion, leadership, and of course, winning and losing."   By chairing this campaign, Beck hopes to pass those gifts along to future generations. Each of the three organizations involved in Wrestling for the Next Millennium will receive funds from the campaign, which will be raised through both private and corporate donations. 
 USA Wrestling aims to raise $6 million to endow its National Team programs in freestyle, Greco-Roman and womeníss freestyle wrestling. The National Team program provides living and training support for the top three athletes in each weight class in all styles. In addition, it also funds full-time professional National Coaches in freestyle and Greco-Roman. 
 Another $1 million would fund USA Wrestling's exciting new  "Beat the Streets" program for underprivileged youth in urban areas. This program is designed to keep kids out of trouble found on the streets, to provide them with a fun and healthy activity and to furnish them with qualified coaches and positive role models that can show them how to become winners in life. 
 An additional $1 million for the National Wrestling Coaches Association will help wrestling to face challenges at both the high school and collegiate levels, to better educate its coaches with the latest technical and strategical information, and to continue sponsoring competition and awards which recognize the best within the sport. 
 Each program to be endowed by the campaign could be named in honor of a donor. Pledges can be earmarked for specific programs and can be made in lump sums or monthly payments. 
 For information on participating in the Wrestling for the Next Millennium campaign, contact USA Wrestling, 6155 Lehman Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, (800)999-8531.