Hall of Fame plaque unveiling is all about family for the Class of 2024 inductees

It is often said that the wrestling community in the United States is a big family, and nothing displays that more than Honors Weekend at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Okla.

It is about each of the remarkable people who have been selected for induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, who often have large groups of family and friends venture to Oklahoma to share the special moments together. In short, the national wrestling community honors the best of the larger wrestling family each year during induction weekend, and those amazing people get to bring those they love to be there with them.

The first major activity each year during Honors Weekend is the unveiling of plaques on Friday night, when inductees are given a special medal, and their friends and family get to see their Hall of Fame displays for the very first time during a fun social.

This year was consistent with the past, with each honoree hearing their Hall of Fame bio announced by Hall of Fame announcer Sandy Stevens, then seeing their display uncovered. Many photos are taken with spouses, children, parents, siblings and friends.

There were a few extra special family moments this year, which added even more flavor to an amazing weekend.

Outstanding American Steve Banach was recognized, with his younger twin brothers in attendance, Olympic champions and Distinguished Members Ed and Lou Banach there to support him. They became the first group of three brothers ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The pictures were awesome, and they were joined by high school coach and mentor Mark Faller.

Distinguished Member Logan Stieber enjoyed his unveiling, and had his first picture with his immediate family. However, he wanted a photo with his younger brother Hunter, who was with him on his journey to greatness, as one of the best brother combinations in the USA Wrestling age-group program out of Ohio.

Distinguished Member Tadaaki Hatta is from one of the most distinguished wrestling families from Japan, and he came to the USA to compete in college at Oklahoma State and remained here to impact U.S. wrestling as a legendary coach of both men and women wrestlers. Hatta had a large family there tonight, including his children and their children, all who were proud of their father or grandpa.

Order of Merit recipient Darryl Miller had immediate family there, but also included another part of his personal family in his pictures, about a dozen of his brothers in arms from the U.S. Marine Corps, who he served with during his time serving our nation.

Distinguished Member Toccara Montgomery had a large and boisterous crowd supporting her, including extended family from her wrestling career, athletes who competed with her at the University of the Cumberlands and athletes she coached at Lindenwood University.

There is an elite family that was also represented well this year, past winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Awards. The first two wrestlers who received the most prestigious of high school awards for boys were inducted as Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Stieber and Coleman Scott. Scott was named the first, because he won his honor in 2004, while Stieber was in 2010, plus Scott was recognized in the unveiling first due to alphabetical order.

The Hall of Fame’s extended family also took time to recognize and thank Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith for completing his 20^th year as the chief executive of the Hall. During his tenure, according to Board chair Tom Slowey, Smith has been key to the expansion and improvement of wrestling’s shrine. As a staff member, Lee Roy has not been eligible to become a Distinguished Member. But with brothers John and Pat Smith already Distinguished Members, the Smith family of Del City, Okla. may be the next set of three brothers enshrined when Lee Roy can join them.

Some of the inductees and their guests ran into travel problems caused by bad weather across the country and were not at the plaque unveiling, but all are hoping to join the inductee family and enjoy the rest of the ceremonies tomorrow.

The Honors Weekend continues on Saturday with Tribute Breakfast at 10:00 a.m. & Induction Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. live on Rokfin.

The Tribute Breakfast broadcast

https://rokfin.com/stream/48874/2024-NWHOF-Honors-Weekend-Tribute-Breakfast

The Induction Ceremony broadcast

https://rokfin.com/stream/48875/2024-NWHOF-Honors-Weekend-Induction-Ceremony