2026 NWHOF Medal of Courage: Patrick Morrissey

Patrick Morrissey has demonstrated extraordinary perseverance, determination, and courage throughout his life, both on and off the wrestling mat.

A Colorado state champion for Durango High School in 1989, Morrissey compiled a 62-10 career record and earned Colorado All-State honors after finishing undefeated as a senior. He also earned All-America honors in Greco-Roman with a seventh-place finish at the 1988 Junior Nationals.

Morrissey continued his wrestling career at California Polytechnic State University, where he was a four-year starter. He placed second at the 1992 Las Vegas Hall of Fame Collegiate Wrestling Invitational and third at the 1994 Pac-10 Championships to qualify for the NCAA Division I Championships, finishing among the top 12 wrestlers in the country.

Following college, Morrissey built a successful engineering and business career in Durango, Colorado, eventually becoming President and COO of GF Properties Group. In 2019, at age 48, he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease.

Morrissey later joined Human Powered Potential, a team competing in The World’s Toughest Row – Pacific to raise awareness and funding for Parkinson’s research in partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation. After 18 months of training, Morrissey and his teammates rowed more than 2,800 miles from California to Hawaii in 41 days during the summer of 2024.

Despite the physical challenges caused by Parkinson’s disease, Morrissey became the first person diagnosed with Parkinson’s to row across the Mid Pacific. The effort also raised more than $41 million for Parkinson’s research.

He and his wife, Dena, have been married for 31 years and have built a close-knit family together while raising their two daughters, Lauran and Mara, who have supported him throughout his journey.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame proudly names Patrick Morrissey as the 2026 Medal of Courage recipient.