Distinguished Member

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.

Please note that a wrestler MUST have been retired from active competition for a period of five years to be eligible for consideration as a Distinguished Member.

Outstanding American

The Outstanding American award is presented to those individuals who have used the disciplines of wrestling to launch notable careers in other walks of life, such as science and technology, business and industry, government and the military, and the arts and humanities.

Medal of Courage

The Medal of Courage recipient is a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, which may be physical, mental or other disabilities that make their achievements all the more uplifting.

Order of Merit

The Order of Merit is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the sport of wrestling, but who is not an athlete or a coach.

The Order of Merit recipient is determined in a vote of Distinguished Members.

Meritorious Official

The Meritorious Official award recognizes outstanding service as a referee, judge, or pairing official.

Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award

The Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, presented annually to a male high school senior, is based equally on outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service. The national winner is selected from state and regional winners.

Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award

The Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, presented annually to a female high school senior, is based equally on outstanding wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service. The national winner is selected from state and regional winners.

State Chapter Awards

State Chapters recognize deserving individuals with the Lifetime Service to Wresting award, the Outstanding American award and the Medal of Courage award.

Lifetime Service To Wrestling

Given in recognition of 20 years or more of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in the youth through the sport of wrestling.

Outstanding American

Given to former wrestlers who are highly successful in other walks of life and use the disciplines learned in wrestling in their profession.

Medal of Courage

Presented to a former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges.

Glen Brand Inductee

The Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa honors native-born Iowans and those who wrestled or coached for an Iowa school who have made an impact on wrestling on a national level or who have done extraordinary work in Iowa.

Russ Smith Community Impact Award

The Russ Smith Community Impact Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional local impact on wrestling in Iowa. It is named in honor of Russ Smith, who worked 47 years at the Waterloo Courier, including 34 years as sports editor, and who gave wrestling top billing, providing it front page sports coverage.

Bob Siddens Iowa High School Coaching Excellence Award

The Bob Siddens High School Excellence Award is presented to a current Iowa high school wrestling coach who exemplifies the high standards that Siddens set during his coaching career at Waterloo West.

Bowlsby Family Legacy Award

The Bowlsby Family Legacy Award is presented to a family that has made a significant impact on the sport of wrestling. It is named in honor of the Bowlsby family from Waterloo, Iowa. John and Bob wrestled for legendary coach Bob Siddens at Waterloo West High School while their parents, Bob and Pat, and sisters, Ann, Sarah and Jane, were instrumental in their careers.

Glen Brand Team Award

The Glen Brand Team Award is presented to an outstanding high school or college championship team.

Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year

The Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year Award is presented each year to the top high school senior in the state of Iowa. It is named in honor of Bob Steenlage, who was the first four-time state champion in Iowa high school wrestling history, capturing titles in 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 for Britt High School.

Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year Award

The Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year Award is presented annually to the top female high school senior wrestler in Iowa.

Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Roman Inductee

The Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions honors Greco-Roman wrestlers who have achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition. It is named in honor of Alan Rice, an Olympic wrestler and coach from Minnesota, and his wife Gloria, an internationally known expert in pairings, who have been instrumental to the success of Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States.

Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Legacy Award

The Alan & Gloria Rice Legacy Award honors families and teams who have made a significant impact in Greco-Roman wrestling. It is named in honor of Alan and Gloria Rice, who have been instrumental to the success of Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States.

Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Leadership Award

The Alan Rice Leadership Award is presented to an individual who exhibits leadership and service within Greco-Roman wrestling. It is named in honor of Alan Rice, a Big Ten champion and an All-American for the University of Minnesota who placed fifth in Greco-Roman at the 1956 Olympics and who coached the United States Greco-Roman team in the 1972 Olympics.

George Tragos and Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Inductee

The George Tragos & Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame honors professional wrestlers with an amateur wrestling background. It is named in honor of George Tragos, who was one of the most feared submission wrestlers during the 1920s and 1930s, and Lou Thesz, a 15-time world champion who is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

George Tragos Award

The George Tragos Award is presented to an exceptionally competitive wrestler who adapted his or her wrestling skills and competitive nature to excel in mixed martial arts. It is named in honor of George Tragos, who was one of the most feared submission wrestlers during the 1920s and 1930s.

Lou Thesz Award

The Lou Thesz Award is presented to individuals in the professional wrestling industry who have used their skills in the realm of public service. It is named in honor of Lou Thesz, a 15-time world champion who is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Frank Gotch Award

The Frank Gotch Award is given to a professional wrestler who brings positive recognition to professional wrestling through work outside the ring. It is named in honor of professional wrestler Frank Gotch, a Humboldt, Iowa native who became one of the best-known athletes in the world during the early 1900s.

Jim Melby Award

The Jim Melby Award recognizes excellence in professional journalism. It is named in honor of Jim Melby, a professional wrestling historian and journalist who set the highest standard within his profession.

Jack Brisco Spotlight Award

The Jack Brisco Spotlight Award is named after the legendary Jack Brisco, an NCAA champion and two-time All-American at Oklahoma State University and member of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. It recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry in various roles, whether as wrestlers, trainers, commentators, or mentors.

Vern Gagne Trainer Award

The Verne Gagne Trainer Award is presented to individuals who have made a profound impact on the professional wrestling industry through their work as trainers and mentors. Named in honor of Verne Gagne, a legendary wrestler and trainer who helped shape the careers of many notable stars, this award recognizes those whose dedication, expertise, and commitment to developing future generations of wrestlers have left a lasting legacy.

Gagne, a multiple-time world champion and Hall of Famer, was instrumental in the growth of professional wrestling, not only through his in-ring achievements but also by fostering the next generation of talent. The award honors trainers who, like Gagne, have demonstrated exceptional skill in teaching the art of professional wrestling, helping young athletes refine their craft and prepare for successful careers.

Recipients of the Verne Gagne Trainer Award are recognized not only for their technical knowledge but also for their ability to inspire and guide their trainees, instilling in them the values of hard work, discipline, and respect for the business.

Gordon Solie Award

Named in honor of legendary broadcaster Gordon Solie, the Gordon Solie Award is given to individuals who exhibit excellence in the field of wrestling commentary, embodying Solie's commitment to the craft.

Bob Dellinger Media Award

The Bob Dellinger Award is presented annually by Amateur Wrestling News to recognize the wrestling writer of the year and is the only media award listed in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

It is named in honor of Bob Dellinger, the winner of the first three awards and a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and a man who blazed a trail for wrestling media worldwide.