National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Oregon Chapter to recognize the first U.S. World champions Sanders & Fozzard on 40th anniversary
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by National Wrestling
STILLWATER, Okla.-- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum's Oregon Chapter will pay tribute to Rick Sanders and Fred Fozzard on the 40th anniversary of their historic achievements of being the first wrestlers in the United States to win world titles at the 1969 World Freestyle Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.
"We are excited to recognize these two native Oregonians and their historic achievements in wrestling" said Len Kauffman, Oregon Chapter President, "They have inspired many generations of wrestlers in Oregon to follow in their footsteps."
According to Kauffman, "Fred will be attending the banquet but Rick passed away in 1972 and will be represented by his step-brother Dave Stockner."
Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum stated that, "Rick and Fred were the first World Champions for the United States. They won their titles on the same day in 1969 with Rick claiming his title at 114.5 pounds and Fred following at 180.5 pounds."
Smith explained that the marking of this anniversary by the Oregon Chapter "is intended to be a tribute to the legacy of excellence they achieved at the national, international, world, and Olympic levels of wrestling."
In addition to recognizing the historical achievements of Rick Sanders and Fred Fozzard, the Oregon Chapter will induct for Lifetime Service to Wrestling:
* Coach Thomas Phillips
* Coach Robert Buzzard
* Coach, Official, and Contributor Frederick Lucas
* Coach Don York
* Coach and Official Rick Franklin
A former wrestling All-American for Oregon State University, Robert Tomasovic, will be the recipient of the Outstanding American honor. Tomasovic is currently a Senior Lecturer and Program Manager at the Center for Civil-Military Relations and served as the Inspector General for the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
All of this will happen at this year's Oregon Chapter induction banquet on Saturday, May 2, at 5:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Wilsonville, Oregon.
For more information on the banquet you may contact Len Kauffman by phone at 503-885-1920 or email lakauf@comcast.net.
"We are excited to recognize these two native Oregonians and their historic achievements in wrestling" said Len Kauffman, Oregon Chapter President, "They have inspired many generations of wrestlers in Oregon to follow in their footsteps."
According to Kauffman, "Fred will be attending the banquet but Rick passed away in 1972 and will be represented by his step-brother Dave Stockner."
Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum stated that, "Rick and Fred were the first World Champions for the United States. They won their titles on the same day in 1969 with Rick claiming his title at 114.5 pounds and Fred following at 180.5 pounds."
Smith explained that the marking of this anniversary by the Oregon Chapter "is intended to be a tribute to the legacy of excellence they achieved at the national, international, world, and Olympic levels of wrestling."
In addition to recognizing the historical achievements of Rick Sanders and Fred Fozzard, the Oregon Chapter will induct for Lifetime Service to Wrestling:
* Coach Thomas Phillips
* Coach Robert Buzzard
* Coach, Official, and Contributor Frederick Lucas
* Coach Don York
* Coach and Official Rick Franklin
A former wrestling All-American for Oregon State University, Robert Tomasovic, will be the recipient of the Outstanding American honor. Tomasovic is currently a Senior Lecturer and Program Manager at the Center for Civil-Military Relations and served as the Inspector General for the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
All of this will happen at this year's Oregon Chapter induction banquet on Saturday, May 2, at 5:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Wilsonville, Oregon.
For more information on the banquet you may contact Len Kauffman by phone at 503-885-1920 or email lakauf@comcast.net.
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