When Steve Combs took the helm of the United States Wrestling Federation in 1974, the six-year-old organization was ready to embark on broad educational, developmental and competitive programs for its 9,000 members. With his leadership, USWF enjoyed its decade of destiny. Membership grew tenfold to more than 90,000 athletes, and the Federation achieved recognition under its new name of USA Wrestling as the sport's national governing body and international representative.

The structure of one of the largest amateur sport organizations in the country was built on his solid, grass-roots, educational philosophy. His tenacity survived and overcame the many arbitrations, court cases and political struggles necessary to return control of the sport to the entire wrestling community. When Combs became executive director, his first goal was to establish strong, active state federations. The states continue to play a vital role in determining national policy and operations.

His creativity, and his ability to envision how ideas would fit together, led to many outstanding programs. He established one of the finest sport science projects in the country, by bringing together experts in sport psychology, physiology, nutrition and training techniques. He recognized the need for a uniform approach in teaching Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. This led him to develop the National Coach Education Program. He also led the way in creating developmental camps, officials' clinics, instructional books, films and video tapes, and other publications.

Combs was a Big Ten champ and a national finalist at Iowa. He won a National AAU championship and earn a place on the 1968 Olympic team. For 11 years he was a successful high school coach in Deerfield, Illinois, and established the Illinois Wrestling Federation as the type of strong, vibrant state organization that would serve as a national pattern.

For his unparalleled service to the sport of wrestling, as a leader, builder and a man of vision, Steven Lee Combs is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.