Hall of Fame Class of 2009 to be honored in Stillwater, Okla., June 5-6
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by National Wrestling
Stillwater, Okla. - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum will host its 33rd annual Honors Weekend culminating in the Induction Ceremony on June 5-6 in Stillwater, Okla.
This year's Class of inductees include Distinguished Members Peter Blair (posthumously), Stephenson, Mich.; Edward Eichelberger, Suffolk, Va.; Les Gutches, Corvalis, Ore.; and Dennis Koslowski, Minnetonka, Minn.
Others to be inducted are Outstanding American Steve Silver, Forney, Texas; Order of Merit recipient Arno Niemand, Boulder, Colo.; Medal of Courage recipient Larry Gibson, Omak, Wash.; and Lifetime Achievement for Officials, Chuck Yagla, Waterloo, Iowa.
The national recipient of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award, David Taylor, from St. Paris, Ohio, will be on hand to receive this prestigious award given to a high school senior that has excelled academically and athletically while being active in other community and school programs.
Weekend activities begin Friday evening with a welcome social and presentation of plaques for the honorees at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
"The program has expanded over the past two years to spotlight not only the inductees but also to recognize other historical and significant achievements in the sport," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. "This year, the Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the Centennial year of Lehigh University Wrestling and to Military Veterans who have distinguished themselves on the battlefield and on the mat.
On Saturday, the day begins early with an 18-hole golf tournament at Stillwater Country Club. Those not playing in the golf tournament will enjoy a club fair that includes a fashion show and guest speaker before everyone comes together for lunch.
Saturday evening, the 33rd annual enshrinement ceremony will occur at the Student Union Ballroom on the campus of Oklahoma State University. Smith said 2009 attendance will once again be at capacity and, for the first time, a taped interview with each honoree will be included.
"Integrating video interviews of each honoree as part of their induction will add entertainment value," he said. "Afterwards, the Hall of Fame will now have each inductee's story in a digital format for visitors to enjoy on demand."
Smith said the weekend is about celebrating the heritage of the sport. "We feel we have just the right balance in our program and activities so that there is something of interest for everyone, yet it culminates with the enshrinement of these great individuals we are here to honor."
The weekend's events begin Thursday as the Hall of Fame's State Chapter presidents and committee members come together for a two-day State Chapter Conference. On Sunday morning, the Board of Governors will hold one of its semi-annual meetings.
"The State Chapter Conference and the Board of Governor meetings involve important governance and strategy sessions for the organizations leadership," Smith said. "What better way for our board members and volunteers to become energized and focused on our mission than to attend this very special tradition we have come to know as Honors Weekend."
Anyone interested in more information should telephone the Hall of Fame at (405)377-5243.
Honors Weekend Schedule of Events, June 4-7 2009
Thursday, June 4
4:00 p.m.- State Chapter Conference Begins................Bennett Hall
7:30 p.m. - St. Chapter Welcome Reception and Dinner…………….TBA
Friday, June 5
9:00 a.m. - State Chapter Conference Continues...........Bennett Hall
2:00 p.m.- Conclusion of State Chapter Conference......Hall of Fame
6:00 p.m.- NWHOF&M Reception...........................Hall of Fame
6:45 p.m. - Opening Program.............................Hall of Fame
7:10 p.m. - Military Reunion Tribute............. Hall of Fame
7:40 p.m. - Honoree Plaque Presentation.............Hall of Fame
8:30 p.m. - Lehigh Centennial Presentation.......Hall of Fame
Saturday, June 6
8:30 a.m. - Golf....................Stillwater Country Club
10:30 a.m. - Country Club Faire..............Stillwater Country Club
12:00 p.m. - Luncheon …………...........Stillwater Country Club
6:00 p.m. - Reception ...........French Room OSU Student Union
7:00 p.m. - 33rd Honors Banquet…………OSU Student Union Ball Room
9:45 p.m. - Conclusion
Sunday, June 7
8:30 a.m. - Board of Governors Meeting...........Hampton Inn
This year's Class of inductees include Distinguished Members Peter Blair (posthumously), Stephenson, Mich.; Edward Eichelberger, Suffolk, Va.; Les Gutches, Corvalis, Ore.; and Dennis Koslowski, Minnetonka, Minn.
Others to be inducted are Outstanding American Steve Silver, Forney, Texas; Order of Merit recipient Arno Niemand, Boulder, Colo.; Medal of Courage recipient Larry Gibson, Omak, Wash.; and Lifetime Achievement for Officials, Chuck Yagla, Waterloo, Iowa.
The national recipient of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award, David Taylor, from St. Paris, Ohio, will be on hand to receive this prestigious award given to a high school senior that has excelled academically and athletically while being active in other community and school programs.
Weekend activities begin Friday evening with a welcome social and presentation of plaques for the honorees at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
"The program has expanded over the past two years to spotlight not only the inductees but also to recognize other historical and significant achievements in the sport," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. "This year, the Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the Centennial year of Lehigh University Wrestling and to Military Veterans who have distinguished themselves on the battlefield and on the mat.
On Saturday, the day begins early with an 18-hole golf tournament at Stillwater Country Club. Those not playing in the golf tournament will enjoy a club fair that includes a fashion show and guest speaker before everyone comes together for lunch.
Saturday evening, the 33rd annual enshrinement ceremony will occur at the Student Union Ballroom on the campus of Oklahoma State University. Smith said 2009 attendance will once again be at capacity and, for the first time, a taped interview with each honoree will be included.
"Integrating video interviews of each honoree as part of their induction will add entertainment value," he said. "Afterwards, the Hall of Fame will now have each inductee's story in a digital format for visitors to enjoy on demand."
Smith said the weekend is about celebrating the heritage of the sport. "We feel we have just the right balance in our program and activities so that there is something of interest for everyone, yet it culminates with the enshrinement of these great individuals we are here to honor."
The weekend's events begin Thursday as the Hall of Fame's State Chapter presidents and committee members come together for a two-day State Chapter Conference. On Sunday morning, the Board of Governors will hold one of its semi-annual meetings.
"The State Chapter Conference and the Board of Governor meetings involve important governance and strategy sessions for the organizations leadership," Smith said. "What better way for our board members and volunteers to become energized and focused on our mission than to attend this very special tradition we have come to know as Honors Weekend."
Anyone interested in more information should telephone the Hall of Fame at (405)377-5243.
Honors Weekend Schedule of Events, June 4-7 2009
Thursday, June 4
4:00 p.m.- State Chapter Conference Begins................Bennett Hall
7:30 p.m. - St. Chapter Welcome Reception and Dinner…………….TBA
Friday, June 5
9:00 a.m. - State Chapter Conference Continues...........Bennett Hall
2:00 p.m.- Conclusion of State Chapter Conference......Hall of Fame
6:00 p.m.- NWHOF&M Reception...........................Hall of Fame
6:45 p.m. - Opening Program.............................Hall of Fame
7:10 p.m. - Military Reunion Tribute............. Hall of Fame
7:40 p.m. - Honoree Plaque Presentation.............Hall of Fame
8:30 p.m. - Lehigh Centennial Presentation.......Hall of Fame
Saturday, June 6
8:30 a.m. - Golf....................Stillwater Country Club
10:30 a.m. - Country Club Faire..............Stillwater Country Club
12:00 p.m. - Luncheon …………...........Stillwater Country Club
6:00 p.m. - Reception ...........French Room OSU Student Union
7:00 p.m. - 33rd Honors Banquet…………OSU Student Union Ball Room
9:45 p.m. - Conclusion
Sunday, June 7
8:30 a.m. - Board of Governors Meeting...........Hampton Inn
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