U.S. leaders Niemand, Feldman and Blasingame receive FILA Stars at Pan Am Championships
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by Gary Abbott
Three wrestling leaders from the United States were honored for their service to the sport by FILA, the international wrestling federation, with FILA Stars during the Pan American Wrestling Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Arno Niemand receives FILA Gold Star
Arno Niemand of Boulder, Colo. has been awarded the FILA Gold Star from FILA, the international wrestling federation, for his service to the sport of wrestling. This is the highest honor within the international wrestling community.
Niemand is being honored during the 2008 Pan American Championships, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"FILA is proud to honor Arno Niemand with its highest honor, the FILA Gold Star," said FILA President Raphael Martinetti. "Mr. Niemand has demonstrated his passion and support for wrestling on every level. His inspiring vision and support for Women's Wrestling is making a positive impact on the development of this international wrestling style."
Niemand is owner and chairman of Body Bar Systems, Inc., a premier fitness company specializing in products and educational tools for fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. He has devoted considerable time, resources and expertise to the development of wrestling on many levels.
Mr. Niemand was a varsity starter for Cornell University in the mid-1950s. He is a long-time supporter of amateur wrestling and a renowned wrestling historian and speaker.
As a strong proponent of women's wrestling, Body Bar Systems has sponsored the USA Wrestling Women's National Team since 2003. The team continues to use the Body Bar® as they train for the 2008 World Championships and Olympics in Beijing.
"My commitment to wrestling stems from my own extraordinary experience with the sport," said Niemand. "Wrestling competition has affected my life in ways that go beyond fitness. I am dedicated to helping today's young men and women experience the many life-long benefits wrestling will bring. I am deeply honored to accept the prestigious FILA Gold Star."
Body Bar Systems is the title sponsor for the Body Bar Women's National Championships, the annual USA Wrestling national tournament for age-group women athletes. Body Bar also has sponsored a series of free women's wrestling clinics for a number of years, featuring champion women wrestlers who serve as role models for young people.
"It is wonderful that Arno has been recognized for his commitment to our great sport," said World champion, Olympic team coach, and Hall of Fame wrestler Tricia Saunders. "His dedication to women's wrestling has been instrumental to its continued growth. Because of his support, many athletes' dreams have become realities. He is most deserving of this honor."
Body Bar Systems funded the development of a women's wrestling promotional DVD, which has helped publicize and expand the sport across the United States. The company has also sponsored production costs for the national television broadcasts of the U.S. National Championships, bringing the sport into millions of American homes.
"Arno's progressive approach to women's athletics, especially in regards to women's wrestling, is commendable and he is deserving of the highest honor the International Wrestling Federation can bestow - the FILA Gold Star," said Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling Women's National Coach.
Niemand has been a major supporter of wrestling at many levels. He has been a leader in the development of the Cornell Univ. wrestling program. He paved the way for the construction of a state of the art wrestling facility there by not only contributing to building it, but also helping fund the women's softball field "The Niemand-Robison Field."
He has been a leader and supporter for youth wrestling, including the very successful youth program in Colorado, the Excel Wrestling Club. Niemand has helped hundreds of Colorado youth to achieve their potential, with many going on to success on the college level.
He has been a supporter of the College Sports Council, which works to preserve sports opportunities and protect endangered sports. He has funded tuition for numerous coaches to attend the National Wrestling Coaches Association's "Building Leaders for Life" Program.
Dr. Bernie Feldman receives FILA Silver Star
Bernard J. Feldman, M.D. of Palos Park, Ill. has been awarded the FILA Silver Star from FILA, the international wrestling federation, for his service to the sport of wrestling. Dr. Feldman is being honored during the 2008 Pan American Championships, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
For 25 years, Dr. Feldman has donated his time and expertise to providing quality medical services to the wrestling community, both within the United States and around the world.
"FILA is proud to honor Dr. Bernie Feldman with the FILA Silver Star," said FILA President Raphael Martinetti. "Mr. Feldman has unselfishly given his time and abilities to provide outstanding medical care for wrestlers across the world. His devotion to helping athletes has made a tremendous impact on international wrestling."
Feldman is currently a member of the FILA Medical Prevention and Anti-Doping Department, having served on this FILA Commission since 2001.
He has worked over 120 events since he began his career in wrestling in 1983, where he volunteered to work as the Medical Director for the Junior World Wrestling Championships, held in Oak Lawn, Ill.
"The sport has been an intense passion of mine for 25 years. My first time was at the 1983 Junior World Championships. I was approached by event director Bill Vail to provide medical coverage. I said I would come out for the first session, and I'd have my residents work the others. I was so captured by the excitement and the intensity that I attended all 12 sessions."
Feldman has played many roles, doing whatever he can to assist the athletes and help the sport. Feldman has been a FILA appointed physician, USOC appointed physician, a medical director, a staff physician, a team physician, or a delegation member during his career. He has taken time away from his profession and his family to attend these events, working long hours to attend to the needs of wrestlers of all nations.
In his various medical positions, Feldman has traveled to 23 different nations. The nations where he has provided medical support are (alphabetically): Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, Venezeula.
Major events where Feldman has served have included four Olympic Games, 13 Senior World Championships, two Junior World Championships, two Cadet World Championships, five World Cups, two Pan American Games, eight Pan American Championships and one Junior Pan American Championships. He also attended many other international events on the FILA schedule.
He has also worked numerous major events within the United States, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the U.S. National Championships, the U.S. World Team Trials, the U.S. Olympic Festival, the University National Championships and others.
Feldman takes a personal interest in the athletes, making himself available not only at events but for medical issues at all times. It is his personal attention to the wrestlers themselves which makes such a major difference.
"Over the years, I have come to appreciate and respect the level of the wrestlers, their work ethic, dedication and sacrifice. They put their heart and soul into it. I have an opportunity to work with elite athletes make make a small contribution to assist them in reaching their goals. I cherish my relationship with the athletes and coaches. I feel privileged to be a member of the wrestling family. After 25 years, I am excited as I was when I first started. If anything, it has grown," said Feldman.
Don Blasingame receives FILA Bronze Star
Don Blasingame of Midwest City, Okla. has been awarded the FILA Bronze Star from FILA, the international wrestling federation, for his service to the sport of wrestling. Blasingame is being honored during the 2008 Pan American Championships, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"FILA is proud to honor Don Blasingame with the FILA Bronze Star," said FILA President Raphael Martinetti. "As both an announcer and a producer for major wrestling events, Mr. Blasingame has made the sport more exciting to watch. Wrestling is much more entertaining and popular because of his skill and passion in presenting our sport."
Blasingame has used his talent as a public address announcer, and his gift for helping produce and manage wrestling events, to help display wrestling in an entertaining way. He has also used his knowledge and passion for the sport to educate the general public about wrestling.
Blasingame has served as the announcer for many of the most important wrestling events in the world and in his native United States. He was an announcer for the wrestling competition at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
In addition, he has served as the producer of many other major competitions, organizing the entire presentation of the tournament. He served as the 1st Producer for the wrestling competitions at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga. as well as the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
He was also the producer of the 1995 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Madison Square Garden in New York City, as well as the 1999 Junior World Championships in Sydney, Australia.
"I have always felt I have received more from this sport than I have given When I heard I was going to be recognized with a FILA star, I was not sure I was worthy to receive it. It is a humbling and a wonderful feeling. This is an incredible honor for me," said Blasingame.
Blasingame is recognized for his voice, which is consistently pleasant to hear as well as exciting to follow. In addition to his Olympic assignment, other international events where Blasingame has announced have been three World Cups and two Concord Cups.
He has been the co-announcer of the ASICS Junior Nationals and Accelerade Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. every year since 1998. Blasingame has also been the voice of the U.S. Senior National Championships every year since 1994.
He has also worked numerous major folkstyle wrestling events on the college and high school levels. Blasingame announced the NCAA Div. I Nationals in 1996 and 2002, the NCAA Div. II Nationals in 1994 and 2002 and the NAIA Nationals in 1999.
He is also the voice of Oklahoma State Cowboy Wrestling, serving as announcer or assistant to the late Bob Dellinger, his good friend and mentor, since 1990. He has been the head announcer at the Oklahoma High School Wrestling Championships since 1995.
"This has always been a life love," said Blasingame. "My mentor Bob Dellinger told me years ago that I have a talent that can help the sport. I am very fortunate that he directed me to get involved with the sport and to give to wrestling when I can."
Among his awards have been the Oklahoma Wrestling Sportsperson of the year four times, the 2003 OIWOA Bobby Walton Official of the Year, the Reno Tournament of Champions Heritage Award winner in 1998. He served as emcee for the Wrestling Hall of Fame Oklahoma Honors Banquet in 1999.
Arno Niemand receives FILA Gold Star
Arno Niemand of Boulder, Colo. has been awarded the FILA Gold Star from FILA, the international wrestling federation, for his service to the sport of wrestling. This is the highest honor within the international wrestling community.
Niemand is being honored during the 2008 Pan American Championships, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"FILA is proud to honor Arno Niemand with its highest honor, the FILA Gold Star," said FILA President Raphael Martinetti. "Mr. Niemand has demonstrated his passion and support for wrestling on every level. His inspiring vision and support for Women's Wrestling is making a positive impact on the development of this international wrestling style."
Niemand is owner and chairman of Body Bar Systems, Inc., a premier fitness company specializing in products and educational tools for fitness enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. He has devoted considerable time, resources and expertise to the development of wrestling on many levels.
Mr. Niemand was a varsity starter for Cornell University in the mid-1950s. He is a long-time supporter of amateur wrestling and a renowned wrestling historian and speaker.
As a strong proponent of women's wrestling, Body Bar Systems has sponsored the USA Wrestling Women's National Team since 2003. The team continues to use the Body Bar® as they train for the 2008 World Championships and Olympics in Beijing.
"My commitment to wrestling stems from my own extraordinary experience with the sport," said Niemand. "Wrestling competition has affected my life in ways that go beyond fitness. I am dedicated to helping today's young men and women experience the many life-long benefits wrestling will bring. I am deeply honored to accept the prestigious FILA Gold Star."
Body Bar Systems is the title sponsor for the Body Bar Women's National Championships, the annual USA Wrestling national tournament for age-group women athletes. Body Bar also has sponsored a series of free women's wrestling clinics for a number of years, featuring champion women wrestlers who serve as role models for young people.
"It is wonderful that Arno has been recognized for his commitment to our great sport," said World champion, Olympic team coach, and Hall of Fame wrestler Tricia Saunders. "His dedication to women's wrestling has been instrumental to its continued growth. Because of his support, many athletes' dreams have become realities. He is most deserving of this honor."
Body Bar Systems funded the development of a women's wrestling promotional DVD, which has helped publicize and expand the sport across the United States. The company has also sponsored production costs for the national television broadcasts of the U.S. National Championships, bringing the sport into millions of American homes.
"Arno's progressive approach to women's athletics, especially in regards to women's wrestling, is commendable and he is deserving of the highest honor the International Wrestling Federation can bestow - the FILA Gold Star," said Terry Steiner, USA Wrestling Women's National Coach.
Niemand has been a major supporter of wrestling at many levels. He has been a leader in the development of the Cornell Univ. wrestling program. He paved the way for the construction of a state of the art wrestling facility there by not only contributing to building it, but also helping fund the women's softball field "The Niemand-Robison Field."
He has been a leader and supporter for youth wrestling, including the very successful youth program in Colorado, the Excel Wrestling Club. Niemand has helped hundreds of Colorado youth to achieve their potential, with many going on to success on the college level.
He has been a supporter of the College Sports Council, which works to preserve sports opportunities and protect endangered sports. He has funded tuition for numerous coaches to attend the National Wrestling Coaches Association's "Building Leaders for Life" Program.
Dr. Bernie Feldman receives FILA Silver Star
Bernard J. Feldman, M.D. of Palos Park, Ill. has been awarded the FILA Silver Star from FILA, the international wrestling federation, for his service to the sport of wrestling. Dr. Feldman is being honored during the 2008 Pan American Championships, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
For 25 years, Dr. Feldman has donated his time and expertise to providing quality medical services to the wrestling community, both within the United States and around the world.
"FILA is proud to honor Dr. Bernie Feldman with the FILA Silver Star," said FILA President Raphael Martinetti. "Mr. Feldman has unselfishly given his time and abilities to provide outstanding medical care for wrestlers across the world. His devotion to helping athletes has made a tremendous impact on international wrestling."
Feldman is currently a member of the FILA Medical Prevention and Anti-Doping Department, having served on this FILA Commission since 2001.
He has worked over 120 events since he began his career in wrestling in 1983, where he volunteered to work as the Medical Director for the Junior World Wrestling Championships, held in Oak Lawn, Ill.
"The sport has been an intense passion of mine for 25 years. My first time was at the 1983 Junior World Championships. I was approached by event director Bill Vail to provide medical coverage. I said I would come out for the first session, and I'd have my residents work the others. I was so captured by the excitement and the intensity that I attended all 12 sessions."
Feldman has played many roles, doing whatever he can to assist the athletes and help the sport. Feldman has been a FILA appointed physician, USOC appointed physician, a medical director, a staff physician, a team physician, or a delegation member during his career. He has taken time away from his profession and his family to attend these events, working long hours to attend to the needs of wrestlers of all nations.
In his various medical positions, Feldman has traveled to 23 different nations. The nations where he has provided medical support are (alphabetically): Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, Venezeula.
Major events where Feldman has served have included four Olympic Games, 13 Senior World Championships, two Junior World Championships, two Cadet World Championships, five World Cups, two Pan American Games, eight Pan American Championships and one Junior Pan American Championships. He also attended many other international events on the FILA schedule.
He has also worked numerous major events within the United States, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the U.S. National Championships, the U.S. World Team Trials, the U.S. Olympic Festival, the University National Championships and others.
Feldman takes a personal interest in the athletes, making himself available not only at events but for medical issues at all times. It is his personal attention to the wrestlers themselves which makes such a major difference.
"Over the years, I have come to appreciate and respect the level of the wrestlers, their work ethic, dedication and sacrifice. They put their heart and soul into it. I have an opportunity to work with elite athletes make make a small contribution to assist them in reaching their goals. I cherish my relationship with the athletes and coaches. I feel privileged to be a member of the wrestling family. After 25 years, I am excited as I was when I first started. If anything, it has grown," said Feldman.
Don Blasingame receives FILA Bronze Star
Don Blasingame of Midwest City, Okla. has been awarded the FILA Bronze Star from FILA, the international wrestling federation, for his service to the sport of wrestling. Blasingame is being honored during the 2008 Pan American Championships, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"FILA is proud to honor Don Blasingame with the FILA Bronze Star," said FILA President Raphael Martinetti. "As both an announcer and a producer for major wrestling events, Mr. Blasingame has made the sport more exciting to watch. Wrestling is much more entertaining and popular because of his skill and passion in presenting our sport."
Blasingame has used his talent as a public address announcer, and his gift for helping produce and manage wrestling events, to help display wrestling in an entertaining way. He has also used his knowledge and passion for the sport to educate the general public about wrestling.
Blasingame has served as the announcer for many of the most important wrestling events in the world and in his native United States. He was an announcer for the wrestling competition at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
In addition, he has served as the producer of many other major competitions, organizing the entire presentation of the tournament. He served as the 1st Producer for the wrestling competitions at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga. as well as the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
He was also the producer of the 1995 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Madison Square Garden in New York City, as well as the 1999 Junior World Championships in Sydney, Australia.
"I have always felt I have received more from this sport than I have given When I heard I was going to be recognized with a FILA star, I was not sure I was worthy to receive it. It is a humbling and a wonderful feeling. This is an incredible honor for me," said Blasingame.
Blasingame is recognized for his voice, which is consistently pleasant to hear as well as exciting to follow. In addition to his Olympic assignment, other international events where Blasingame has announced have been three World Cups and two Concord Cups.
He has been the co-announcer of the ASICS Junior Nationals and Accelerade Cadet Nationals in Fargo, N.D. every year since 1998. Blasingame has also been the voice of the U.S. Senior National Championships every year since 1994.
He has also worked numerous major folkstyle wrestling events on the college and high school levels. Blasingame announced the NCAA Div. I Nationals in 1996 and 2002, the NCAA Div. II Nationals in 1994 and 2002 and the NAIA Nationals in 1999.
He is also the voice of Oklahoma State Cowboy Wrestling, serving as announcer or assistant to the late Bob Dellinger, his good friend and mentor, since 1990. He has been the head announcer at the Oklahoma High School Wrestling Championships since 1995.
"This has always been a life love," said Blasingame. "My mentor Bob Dellinger told me years ago that I have a talent that can help the sport. I am very fortunate that he directed me to get involved with the sport and to give to wrestling when I can."
Among his awards have been the Oklahoma Wrestling Sportsperson of the year four times, the 2003 OIWOA Bobby Walton Official of the Year, the Reno Tournament of Champions Heritage Award winner in 1998. He served as emcee for the Wrestling Hall of Fame Oklahoma Honors Banquet in 1999.
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