A Convocation of the Best in Wrestling
Honors Weekend is a unique event held by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma, that perfectly captures the essence of the American wrestling community. This yearly event brings together incredible people who have made huge contributions to wrestling, and it’s not only about the best in the business. It’s also a passionate reunion of a large wrestling family. A feeling of pride and camaraderie permeates the entire event as their family and friends come together to experience these unique moments.
Plaque Unveiling: An Honorific Ceremony
The presentation of plaques on Friday night is the first big event of Honors Weekend. A unique medal is awarded to inductees and their Hall of Fame displays are shown for the first time during this ceremony, which is the focal point of the celebration. The evening is full of excitement and expectation as the honorees and their loved ones watch as their legacies are immortalized.
The event was presented this year, as it has been many times before, by Hall of Fame announcer Sandy Stevens, whose voice gave the proceedings a serious tone. Friends and family gathered to witness the exhibits unveiled while the biographies of each honoree were read aloud, taking innumerable photos of these priceless moments. This event honors not only the athletes’ accomplishments but also the networks of support that have helped them become elite athletes.
Treasured Family Times: Connections Beyond the Mat
There are always going to be special moments during Honors Weekend, but this year was especially memorable because of the many touching family tales that added to the joy and warmth of the occasion.
The induction of Steve Banach as an Outstanding American was one such moment. For the first time, three brothers were admitted into the Hall of Fame with the presence of his younger twin brothers, Olympic champions and Distinguished Members Ed and Lou Banach. The presence of their high school coach and mentor, Mark Faller, added to the poignancy and historical significance of the scene.
Logan Stieber, a Distinguished Member, too experienced a moving moment. He asked for a picture with his younger brother Hunter, a fellow wrestler, after getting one with his immediate family. The camaraderie between this Ohio sibling team, who have long been regarded as one of the best brother combinations in USA Wrestling’s age-group program, was evident at the event.
Respecting Military Service and Global Legacy
The achievements of prominent international wrestlers and others who have served their country were also honored that evening. Representing one of the most illustrious wrestling families in Japan, Distinguished Member Tadaaki Hatta immigrated to the United States to compete at Oklahoma State and later became a great instructor in American wrestling. His multigenerational family applauded his accomplishments with pride.
Darryl Miller, a recipient of the Order of Merit, brought a new kind of family to the gathering. Miller featured twelve brothers-in-arms from the U.S. Marine Corps in addition to his personal family, demonstrating the close bonds he forged while serving. This fusion of wrestling and military comradery served as a moving reminder of the variety of backgrounds that make up the wrestling community.
A sizable and fervent audience witnessed Distinguished Member Toccara Montgomery’s induction, which honored female trailblazers and coaching legends. Her family, her former wrestling teammates, and the athletes she coached at Lindenwood University were among her supporters. Many have been inspired by Montgomery’s path as a trailblazing female wrestler, and her induction served as evidence of her impact both inside and outside of the ring.
The Dave Schultz High School Awards honor excellence.
Additionally, previous recipients of the esteemed Dave Schultz High School Excellence Awards were highlighted during Honors Weekend. Two of these awardees, Logan Stieber and Coleman Scott, were inducted as Distinguished Members this year. Scott (awarded in 2004) and Stieber (2010) are the epitome of high school wrestling achievement. Due to alphabetical order, Scott was unveiled first, but both athletes’ accomplishments were enthusiastically embraced.
Honoring Leadership
Executive Director Lee Roy Smith has served the Hall of Fame with great dedication for twenty years. The Hall of Fame extended family would like to honor him for his service. The Hall has grown and developed under Smith’s direction, turning it into a veritable temple to the game. In his laudatory remarks, board chair Tom Slowey hinted that Smith might become a Distinguished Member in the future, joining his brothers Pat and John Smith as the only other family with three brothers in the Hall of Fame.
Overcoming Obstacles: Inductees and Journey Difficulties
Most of the inductees and their guests made it to the plaque unveiling despite weather-related travel delays. The perseverance and tenacity that characterize the wrestling community were shown by the fact that those who were delayed eagerly anticipated taking part in the celebrations the next day.
The Celebrations Go On Honors Weekend continues on Saturday with a live broadcast on Roof of the Induction Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. and a Tribute Breakfast at 10:00 a.m. These gatherings strive to carry on the tradition of honoring the best in wrestling while providing more chances for the wrestling community to unite and celebrate its members.
A Matter of Family
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Honors Weekend is ultimately much more than just an awards presentation. It’s a celebration of accomplishments and common paths, a monument to the resilience of the wrestling community, and a reminder that family is everything—both in life and in wrestling. The weekend captures the spirit of the sport, exhibiting the unwavering determination and close-knit relationships that make the wrestling community genuinely special.
