Ann Peery Ritter is president of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Pennsylvania Chapter, which was the first state chapter when it began in 1993. She was elected to the chapter’s first board of directors and has helped it become a model for other state chapter programs. Ann also serves on the Hall of Fame’s state chapter advisory board and received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Pennsylvania Chapter in 2018.

She was voted “Outstanding Female Athlete” as a senior at Shaler High School where she was co-head cheerleader for two years. Ann was president of the Leader’s Club, which ran all athletic events for girls, and she also refereed girls basketball and softball games. She attended Slippery Rock State College as a physical education major with a concentration in aquatics. Ann’s father, Rex, and her brothers, Hugh and Ed, were all three-time NCAA champions and all three are Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame.

She and her husband, Jim, who passed away in 2012, were active in the Shaler Wrestling Club for many years, including working tournaments for Robert Siar, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Meritorious Official in 2000. Ann became a referee in 1973 and officiated midgets through high school before retiring in 1982.

Why is it important to be a part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame?

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is a national treasure that preserves the history of the “World’s Oldest Sport” and shares it through exhibits and memorabilia. The Hall of Fame helps teach young wrestlers, both men and women, about our great sport while also providing encouragement. If you have not traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to visit the Hall of Fame, you are missing out on a wonderful experience!

You began officiating wrestling matches in 1973. How did you become a referee?

Growing up, I rarely missed a Pittsburgh wrestling match. I would cheer each wrestler on during his match, but I also watched and listened to the referee officiating the match. I also studied the wrestling rule book each year when it was published. I became a critic of the referees. After criticizing many of these gentlemen from the stands, I was challenged by a group of referees to get my certification and get out on the mat and make the calls. Well, being a Peery, I took their challenge. I studied the rules and regulations and passed the test for new referees.

What has it been like to see women’s wrestling flourish over the past 25 years?

I am so proud of the leaders in the sport of wrestling. They have realized that females can wrestle and can do it well.  Women can be "tough as nails" when they have to be. Women are serious about wrestling and want to become regional, state, national, World and Olympic champions. I am pleased that I have been able to see this occur all around the world.

You are widely recognized as one of the best state chapter directors in the country. What is the key to running a successful state chapter program?

I am very flattered and humbled that people consider me to be one of the best state chapter directors in the country. I am blessed to have a board that loves the sport of wrestling. We want to see the oldest sport in the world grow more each year. We want to honor those wonderful wrestlers that went before us and gave so much of themselves to this fine sport. They made it what it is today.

What does it mean to give a lifetime of service to wrestling?

I love the sport of wrestling. I grew up sitting in the bleachers at wrestling matches since I was born. I have watched my father, Rex, instruct my brothers in the living room of our home. He even made sure I knew a few of those moves, just in case I ever had to defend myself. Wrestling was the "family business" and so we all had to "chip in" to get the job done.

None of us ever thought about doing anything but dedicating ourselves to serve this great sport. I would do it all again and enjoy every minute of serving wrestling. It has truly been my honor to be allowed to serve.