Mel Ashcraft

Melvin Harold Ashcraft was born in Englewood, Kansas January 14, 1936. Although he never actually wrestled, he was very passionate about the sport. Starting in college, he began to referee for Greco-Roman and freestyle matches, and remained involved in the sport until very shortly before his death in 2013. Mel participated in several Olympic Games, including the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2004 Athens Games. He was also the United States' pre-Games representative for the 2000 Sidney Games. It was during the Atlanta Games that Mel picked up the nickname he would be known for throughout the rest of the wrestling community. His official credentials had a "typo" and only his first name was listed, giving him the moniker of 'Just Mel'. In May of 2005, Mel was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame when he received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Georgia Chapter. In April 2013, Mel lost his life due to complication from cancer, but not before seeing both his grandsons participate in their first wrestling tournament. A prouder man could not be found in the stands that day.

Awards:

Year
2005
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Georgia

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