Robinson won the British Empire Games and the England national title as an amateur and studied submission wrestling for nearly eight years in the legendary Billy Riley “snakepit” in Wigan, England. He was a top star in the AWA for three decades, winning major titles along the way.

Scarpello was a four-time All-American at the University of Iowa and a two-time national collegiate champion. He wrestled and boxed during World War II and flew 18 combat missions. He wrestled professionally for nearly 25 years. His award was accepted by his widow Eileen, who lives in Omaha.

Hackenschmidt was the first recognized world heavyweight professional champion, from 1904 until 1908. Known as Thee Russian Lion, he was a world-class weightlifter and physique star before turning to wrestling in 1900. He won every major European amateur title and was world amateur Greco-Roman champion, as well. He spoke five languages and wrote ten books.

2003 Frank Gotch Award winner, Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura was the 2003 Frank Gotch Award winner. The Frank Gotch Award goes annually to someone who has brought positive attention to the sport, mostly for work done outside of the ring.

The building was packed from one end to the other, many waiting for the arrival of Ventura. He was mobbed when he strode through the doorway, chomping on an unlit cigar and wearing a black polo shirt.

“This is a great museum and this is a great event. They both far exceeded my expectations,” Ventura said after receiving the Frank Gotch Award. “I am really humbled by the award and what it stands for. My dad was a big fan of Frank Gotch.”

Ventura’s attendance attracted considerable media attention all across the Untied States. The announcement of his selection was carried on ESPN, Fox News Network and in dozens of national newspapers, including the largest in the country.

“I was contacted by major news outlets and I estimate at least a dozen radio talk shows,” said Chapman. “The Associated Press picked up the article and ran it all across the nation. The Getty News Service sent in a photographer. It was big news…which proves that Jesse was very deserving of the award.”

“The governor said he had a great time, from beginning to end,” said Bill Murdock, IWIM board member who served as his escort. “He was great to the fans, signing everything he was given. He was in a great mood and it was a thrill to work with him.”

“Our sport is a great sport because truly at the professional level it is the sport of the blue-collar people,” Ventura said during his speech at the banquet. “Pro wrestling went to the people, the people didn’t go to it. Pro wrestling went to the small towns, went to the Ottumwa, Iowas, the Columbia, Missouris, the Yakima, Washingtons. You don’t see the NFL doing that, but pro wrestling did. It truly is the sport of the blue-collar people.”

Ventura also said pro wrestling helped prepare him for his political achievements.

“People always asked, ‘What did pro wrestling do to help you become the governor?’ I told them on a very serious note — it taught me how to react. It taught me how to think on my feet because everyone knows that when matches go on nothing goes like it is supposed to — you have to be able to think and improvise. And I told them most importantly that it taught me how to talk in front of a crowd. Without pro wrestling, I wouldn’t be able to talk like I do.”

:: The Inductions Weekend ::

The weekend began with a Celebrity Golf Tournament on Friday afternoon, featuring 22 celebrities from sports and politics. Among those in attendance were ten former Olympic wrestlers, former pro football players and one former major league baseball player. Hall of fame members Verne Gagne, Dan Hodge, Dick Hutton, Jim Raschke, Dick Beyer, Bob Geigel and 2001 Gotch Award winner Tom Drake also were on hand for the golf.

“We reach out to other sports to try and broaden the base for the golf event,” said Chapman. “Everyone enjoyed meeting Bob Mathias, truly one of the greatest champions in all of sport history. He won the Olympic decathlon title at age 17 in London, and repeated four years later in Heslinki. He had a grand reunion with Olympic wrestling champions Glen Brand (1948) and Bill Smith (1952). ”