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.
Johnnie Johnson
Incoming Class of 2025
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Shawn Kelly Sr.
Year: 2024
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Josh Schamberger
Year: 2023
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Bie Gie Fenwick
Year: 2022
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Bill Tate
Year: 2021
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Corky Stuart
Year: 2020
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Jerry and Marti Roling
Year: 2019
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Charlotte Bailey
Year: 2018
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Keith Massey
Year: 2018
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Jim Brown
Year: 2017
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Ryan Sallis
Year: 2016
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Joe and Julie Breitbach
Year: 2015
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Larry Hamilton
Year: 2015
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Steve and Linda Wachal
Year: 2014
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Wyatt Schultz
Year: 2013
Award: Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Location: Waterloo
Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations