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    Mark Palmer •

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    Hall of Fame now accepting nominations for 2017

    How do you get into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame?

    For most of us, simply show up at the Hall in Stillwater, Oklahoma and pay the nominal admission to visit. For an outstanding individual within the world of amateur wrestling to be immortalized in the Hall, we mere mortals can help ... by nominating someone we feel is worthy.

    That time is now.

    The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2017, which will be inducted during the annual Honors Weekend on June 2-3, 2017 in Stillwater.

    Individuals within the wrestling community can nominate individuals for Distinguished Member, Meritorious Official, Order of Merit, Outstanding American and Medal of Courage during the month of August.

    Here's an explanation of each of these categories:

  • Distinguished Members can be a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport. Nominees who are 60 years and older are screened by the Veterans Committee. The Distinguished Member Screening Committee will pare the list to at least 12 nominees for the final ballot. Comprised of past honorees and individuals knowledgeable about the sport, the Distinguished Member Selection Committee and the Veterans Committee rank nominees in order of preference. Ballots are submitted to the NWHOF and sent to the Honorary Chair to be verified by a certified accounting firm. The confirmed selection of inductees is then returned to the NWHOF. Official nominations are due Sept. 1. To see individuals already installed as Distinguished Members, click here.

  • The Outstanding American award recognizes individuals who have used the disciplines of the sport to launch notable careers after concluding their wrestling career. Past recipients have included individuals who have excelled in science, technology, business, industry, government, military, and arts and humanities. The NWHOF Executive Committee prioritizes and submits a list of nominees in rank order to the NWHOF Executive Director, who contacts nominees in order until one confirms acceptance of award. Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 15. (A list of those already honored as Outstanding American may be viewed here.)

  • The Medal of Courage recipient is a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, providing inspiration to others. Nominations are screened by the NWHOF Executive Committee and placed on a ballot that is voted on by the Board of Governors. Sept. 15 is the deadline for nominations in this category. (See who's already been honored with the Medal of Courage here.)

  • The Order of Merit is presented to an individual that has made a significant contribution to the sport of wrestling, but who is not an athlete or a coach. Nominations are submitted by Distinguished Members and placed on a ballot. Distinguished Members voting ballots are submitted to the NWHOF for tabulation. Deadline for nominations is Sept. 15. (Click here for a list of honorees who have already received Order of Merit.)

  • The Meritorious Official award recognizes outstanding service as a referee, judge or pairing official. Nominations are screened, placed on a ballot and voted on by the Meritorious Official Selection Committee, which is a combination of honorees and individuals knowledgeable about the sport. Ballots are returned to the NWHOF for tabulation. Sept. 1 is the deadline for nominations in this category. (Past Meritorious Official honorees may be viewed here.)

    Nomination forms are available online.

    As America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations.

    In June, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum reopened after a $3.8 million renovation that now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day.

    The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is located on the corner of Hall of Fame Avenue and Duck Street in Stillwater. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (all times Central). Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for military veterans and seniors (65 and older), $3 for students and $15 for a family. Children 5 and under are free. Website: www.nwhof.org.
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