Wrestling on display Codi Gillette of Cheasapeake, Virginia, visited the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum with her family. Codi is standing underneath a collection of posters inside the Dan Gable Teaching Center.

Zachary versus Chris Zachary Gillette of Chesapeake, Virginia, stands next to a cutout of Chris Taylor in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. Taylor, who weighed over 400 pounds, was an NCAA champion for Iowa State in 1972 and 1973.

Wrestling Round Table with Brian Hoops Brian Hoops (pictured far right) hosted a panel discussion in the with (from left) Jim Duggan, Scott Teal, Danny Hodge, Gerald Brisco, Terry Funk, and Baron Von Raschke. The round table discussion was held in the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame on Saturday July 23 during induction weekend. Joyce Paustian photo

Dan Hodge submission hold Hall of Famer Dan Hodge (Class of 2000) demonstrates a submission hold in the Dan Gable Teaching Center during the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction weekend. Hodge was part of a special Mixed Martial Arts seminar with Greg Halsor (standing with black long-sleeved shirt). Joyce Paustian photo

2011 Celebrity Golf Tournament Dan Hodge (center) poses with his foursome during the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum Celebrity Golf Tournament on Friday, July 22 at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course. Hodge was 46-0 with 36 pins for his career at the University of Oklahoma (1955-1957). He remains the only wrestler to be featured on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." Joyce Paustian photo

Historic Gathering Legends from the world of wrestling gathered for a historic photograph following the 2011 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction banquet. Front row rom left: Baron Von Raschke, Larry Hennig, Greg Oliver, Dan Gable, Scott Teal, Pat Miletich, Bill Murdock, Gerald Brisco, and Terry Funk. Back row from left: Ted Gordienko, Bob Roop, Fritz Von Goering, Mick Foley, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Jim Ross, and Danny Hodge. Joyce Paustian photo

Hacksaw Jim Duggan with Duane Melsh Hacksaw Jim Duggan, winner of the 2011 Frank Gotch Award, gives a thumbs up with museum volunteer Duane Melsh. Chris Zummak photo

Dan Gable and Dan Hodge Two of the greatest wrestlers to walk planet earth: Dan Gable (left) and Dan Hodge (right). Gable was 183-1 at Iowa State. Hodge was 46-0 at the Univiersity of Oklahoma. Gable coached the University of Iowa to 15 NCAA team titles from 1977 to 1997. Joyce Paustian photograph

New Dan Gable Museum award to honor wrestling legend Bob Siddens

WATERLOO, Iowa—The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will recognize the accomplishments of Bob Siddens with a new award.

The Bob Siddens Iowa High School Coaching Excellence Award will recognize a current Iowa high school wrestling coach who exemplifies the high standards that Bob Siddens set during his coaching career at Waterloo West.

The inaugural award will be given at the 2012 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame inductions on April 14, 2012. Siddens will be the first recipient of the award.

Siddens is arguably the greatest high school wrestling coach in American history. His 27 year coaching career (1950-1977) included 11 team state championships, a 327-26-3 dual meet record, and a streak of 88 consecutive dual meet wins. Siddens also coached nine individual NCAA champions and one Olympic champion.

“When Bob Siddens was the coach he had over 100 guys out for wrestling,” said Dan Gable, namesake of the museum and a wrestler under Siddens at West Waterloo. “In fact, the whole school wanted to come out when he was there.”

Siddens will be honored alongside the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa Class of 2012. This year’s class includes Hugo Otopalik, Dale Bahr, Kelly Ward, Ken Snyder, and the 1950 NCAA championship team from Iowa State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa). Denna Massey will receive the Russ Smith Community Impact Award.

Contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for information on attending the induction banquet and for a full schedule of events.

John Bradshaw Layfield and Bill Apter to receive special awards from Hall of Fame

WATERLOO—John Bradshaw Layfield and Bill Apter have been selected to receive special awards during 2012 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction. The Hall of Fame is located inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.

Layfield will receive the Lou Thesz Award. The Lou Thesz Award is given to an individual in wrestling who has taken the skills of the sport into the realm of public service. Layfield, known as Bradshaw or JBL, has had a successful career as a professional wrestler and as a television commentator.

Apter will receive the Jim Melby Award. The Jim Melby Award recognizes excellence in professional wrestling journalism. Apter is best known for his work with Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

Kurt Angle and Don Curtis to enter Hall of Fame

WATERLOO--Kurt Angle and Don Curtis have been selected as the 2012 inductees into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is located inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.

The selection committee includes all living Hall of Fame members, all living Frank Gotch Award winners, and a select group of wrestling historians. The selection committee votes for one living and one posthumous inductee.

Induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame includes substantial impact on professional wrestling, general respect within the profession, and a strong amateur wrestling background.

“I can’t think of someone more qualified than Kurt Angle to enter the Hall of Fame,” said Hall of Famer Gerry Brisco. “He won gold at every level. Don Curtis was a great man and an outstanding wrestler. He spent his entire life bettering wrestling. Both are great additions.”

Angle was a two-time NCAA champion for Clarion University and a 1996 Olympic champion. He joins Dan Hodge and Dick Hutton as distinguished members at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla., and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. Angle, one of the biggest superstars in professional wrestling history, currently wrestles for TNA.

Curtis (known by his original name of Don Beitelman in college before it was legally changed to Don Curtis) was a member of the University at Buffalo wrestling team. He was team captain in 1949 and 1950. Curtis was NWA tag team champion with Mark Lewin during the 1950s and 1960s. He died on March 6, 2008.

Four special awards are given during induction weekend as well. Special award winners will be announced on November 14, 2011.

Hall of Fame weekend is July 13-14, 2012, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at (319) 233-0745 or orders@wrestlingmuseum.org for more information on induction weekend.

Wrestling families recognized by National Wrestling Hall of Fame during NCAA tournament

The unique connection between wrestling and family was the theme of a special presentation at this year’s NCAA Division I wrestling tournament in Philadelphia. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame presented its Family Ties exhibit for the first time on Thursday, March 17 during NCAA Fan Fest.

Eleven prominent wrestling families were recognized during a stage presentation at Lincoln Financial Field in front of hundreds of wrestling fans. Five families participated in a panel discussion about family and its connection to wrestling.

“I want to thank those very special family members who participated in the Family Ties Fan Fest program,” said Lee Roy Smith, executive director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “They have made great contributions to the sport of wrestling. Everyone in attendance appreciated them for sharing the many positive values that wrestling gives to families.”

2012 Glen Brand Hall of Fame class selected

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Three former NCAA champions, a legendary coach, and a historic championship team will be inducted into the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa on April 14, 2012. The Hall of Fame is located inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo.

The Class of 2012 includes Dale Bahr, Kelly Ward, Ken Snyder, Hugo Otopalik, and the 1950 NCAA championship team from Iowa State Teachers College.

Bahr was an NCAA champion and three-time All-American for Iowa State. He place second at the NCAA tournament in 1966, third in 1967, and first in 1968. Bahr coached the University of Michigan wrestling program from 1978 through 1999, compiling a 221-119-6 dual meet record.

Ward was an NCAA champion and three-time NCAA championship finalist for Iowa State. He placed second at the NCAA tournament in 1977, second in 1978, and first in 1979. His overall career college record was 126-10-2.

Snyder was a two-time Division II NCAA champion for Northern Iowa, winning titles in 1974 and 1975. He was also a two-time Division I All-American for the Panthers those same years. Snyder’s career college record at UNI was 95-15-3.

Otopalik was the head wrestling coach at Iowa State from 1924 through 1953. His teams compiled a 159-66-5 dual meet record. Otopalik coached Iowa State to an NCAA team championship (considered unofficial because no team scores were kept) in 1933. He also coached Glen Brand to an NCAA title in 1948. Brand is the namesake of the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa.

Otopalik passed away in 1953.

In addition to the four individual inductees, one Iowa high school or college championship team was selected for induction into the Hall of Fame. The Iowa State Teachers College team (now Northern Iowa) that won the 1950 NCAA championship was chosen by the selection committee.

The 13-member selection committee includes 10 past Glen Brand Hall of Fame inductees and three members of the media. Committee members are Les Anderson, Bobby Douglas, Jim Duschen, Dan Gable, Jim Gibbons, Tim Johnson, Randy Lewis, Jim Miller, Bill Nelson, and Chuck Yagla. Members of the media include Jim Nelson (Waterloo Courier), Andy Hamilton (Des Moines Register), and Mike Finn (WIN Magazine).

“Our selection committee does an excellent job,” said Kyle Klingman, director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. “This year’s hall of fame class is outstanding.”

The Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to honor the people who have made an impact on the sport on a national level, or who have done extraordinary work in the State of Iowa. The hall recognizes native-born Iowans, and those who achieved their fame while wrestling or coaching for an Iowa college. This is the eleventh class.

Denna Massey of Council Bluffs will be presented with the Russ Smith Community Impact Award at the induction ceremony. The award is given to a person demonstrating exceptional local impact on wrestling within the state of Iowa.

The Class of 2012 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at a special ceremony hosted by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. For more information contact the museum at (319) 233-0745 or orders@wrestlingmuseum.org. A full schedule of events will be made available at a later date.

Jay Roberts, member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors, passes away at the age of 69

Jay Roberts, a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame executive committee, died on June 22, 2011, in Waterloo, Iowa. He was 69 years old.

Roberts attended the University of Iowa on partial scholarship. He graduated in 1964 earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science. Roberts lettered three years in wrestling (1962, 1963, and 1964). He also lettered twice in football.

He then attended Law School at the University of Iowa where he received his law degree. He began practicing law in Waterloo, Iowa, in 1968. He has been closely associated with the sport of wrestling since graduation.

“Jay was always willing to lend his expertise and he was always eager to be involved,” said Dan Gable, head wrestling coach at the University of Iowa from 1977 to 1997. “Beyond his active help with Iowa wrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, I consider him a close friend.”

Roberts was a member of the International Wrestling Institute and Museum board when it opened in 1998 in Newton, Iowa. He continued to serve on the board when the museum moved to Waterloo, Iowa, in 2007 and became the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum.

Roberts joined the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors in 2009 when the Dan Gable Museum merged with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in Stillwater, Okla.

“It was our belief and commitment to the Dan Gable Museum that brought our friendship together,” said Bob Buckley, a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame executive committee from Waterloo. “Not only will his commitment to wrestling be missed but I will really miss his sense of humor. I grew to appreciate his friendship.”

Visitation will be held at Hagarty Waychoff Funeral Home located on 300 West Ridgeway Avenue in Waterloo, Iowa, from 4-8 on Sunday, June 26.

A viewing will be at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 27 at Heartland Vineyard Church located on 1405 Greenhill Road in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The funeral will follow at 10 a.m.

"On the Mat' archives now available

Each week the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum hosts a local radio show called "On the Mat." show can be heard live each Wednesday at 5 p.m. CST by tuning into 1650 The Fan locally or online at www.kcnzam.com. Archives of the show are now available online at themat.com. To access past shows click here.