Cliff Keen Athletic, Rudis Athletic Gear named preferred providers for apparel
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced that it has chosen Cliff Keen Athletic and Rudis Athletic Gear as its preferred providers for apparel.
Apparel will be customized to reflect the distinct experience of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
Keen and Rudis will provide apparel for the gift shops in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa as well as online at the NWHOF’s official website. The two partners will also provide apparel for the 34 NWHOF State Chapter programs.
“Following a thorough review of apparel proposals, we feel that Cliff Keen Athletic and Rudis Athletic Gear provide us with the best options, and we’re excited to work with them,” said NWHOF Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “The fact that these two also have an incredible legacy in our sport makes the partnerships even more special.”
Cliff Keen Athletic began in 1958 and has been an apparel partner and sponsor of the NWHOF since it opened in 1976. It is the largest manufacturer of wrestling equipment and uniforms, and their products are synonymous with wrestling throughout the world.
“We are proud to be associated with the NWHOF and their official apparel program,” said Cliff Keen Athletic President Tom Keen. “As a charter member of the NWHOF, my grandfather would be awfully proud of how far the Hall has come in procuring and preserving the past of this great sport. It's a natural that we would want to be a part of their fine identity.”
Rudis was formed in 2013 and has been a sponsor of the NWHOF Honors Weekend and was also a sponsor for the inaugural NWHOF Dan Gable Museum Gala. A leading athletic apparel brand that is uniquely marketed to the national wrestling community, Rudis has partnerships with the Sunkist Kids, Ohio State University, the University of Iowa as well as the exclusive rights to the Dave Schultz trademark.
“The names of those who have stood as pillars for our great sport are legendary. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is where their names, memories and accomplishments are displayed and immortalized,” said Nancy Schultz, an equity partner at Rudis and the widow of renowned wrestler and Distinguished Member Dave Schultz. “Rudis and the Schultz family are proud to join forces with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. We will forge a new partnership to honor our wrestling heroes. Rudis is proud to outfit all those who immerse themselves in this great sport.”
Cliff Keen was inducted as a Distinguished Member in the inaugural Class of 1976 in recognition of his great coaching career and contributions to wrestling, including the development of safe, effective, wrestling equipment such as the headgear which bears his name.
Jim Keen received the NWHOF’s Order of Merit award in 2004 in acknowledgment of his more than 50 years of involvement in the sport as a competitor, inventor, and CEO of Cliff Keen Athletics where he was instrumental in the company’s sponsorship of tournaments. He is a Governor’s Associate after serving as Chairman of the NWHOF Board of Governors from 2004-13, and was Vice Chairman from 2000-03.
Nancy Schultz is a Governor’s Associate for the NWHOF after being a member of the Board of Governors from 1998-2004. The NWHOF honors an outstanding wrestler each year with the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. The award is based on exceptional wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service. The national winner is selected from winners at the state and regional levels.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. With museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa, the Hall of Fame has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world including the Hall of Honors in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where wrestling legends are enshrined at the national, regional, and state level. The rich heritage and diversity of the sport will be highlighted throughout the newly-renovated museum. There is also a library featuring historical documents and books on the sport as well as a theater. The Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is currently closed to visitors while undergoing an entire interior renovation. It is scheduled to re-open on June 3-4, 2016, just in time to celebrate its 40th anniversary at the annual Honors Weekend induction ceremonies.
Apparel will be customized to reflect the distinct experience of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum.
Keen and Rudis will provide apparel for the gift shops in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa as well as online at the NWHOF’s official website. The two partners will also provide apparel for the 34 NWHOF State Chapter programs.
“Following a thorough review of apparel proposals, we feel that Cliff Keen Athletic and Rudis Athletic Gear provide us with the best options, and we’re excited to work with them,” said NWHOF Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “The fact that these two also have an incredible legacy in our sport makes the partnerships even more special.”
Cliff Keen Athletic began in 1958 and has been an apparel partner and sponsor of the NWHOF since it opened in 1976. It is the largest manufacturer of wrestling equipment and uniforms, and their products are synonymous with wrestling throughout the world.
“We are proud to be associated with the NWHOF and their official apparel program,” said Cliff Keen Athletic President Tom Keen. “As a charter member of the NWHOF, my grandfather would be awfully proud of how far the Hall has come in procuring and preserving the past of this great sport. It's a natural that we would want to be a part of their fine identity.”
Rudis was formed in 2013 and has been a sponsor of the NWHOF Honors Weekend and was also a sponsor for the inaugural NWHOF Dan Gable Museum Gala. A leading athletic apparel brand that is uniquely marketed to the national wrestling community, Rudis has partnerships with the Sunkist Kids, Ohio State University, the University of Iowa as well as the exclusive rights to the Dave Schultz trademark.
“The names of those who have stood as pillars for our great sport are legendary. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is where their names, memories and accomplishments are displayed and immortalized,” said Nancy Schultz, an equity partner at Rudis and the widow of renowned wrestler and Distinguished Member Dave Schultz. “Rudis and the Schultz family are proud to join forces with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. We will forge a new partnership to honor our wrestling heroes. Rudis is proud to outfit all those who immerse themselves in this great sport.”
Cliff Keen was inducted as a Distinguished Member in the inaugural Class of 1976 in recognition of his great coaching career and contributions to wrestling, including the development of safe, effective, wrestling equipment such as the headgear which bears his name.
Jim Keen received the NWHOF’s Order of Merit award in 2004 in acknowledgment of his more than 50 years of involvement in the sport as a competitor, inventor, and CEO of Cliff Keen Athletics where he was instrumental in the company’s sponsorship of tournaments. He is a Governor’s Associate after serving as Chairman of the NWHOF Board of Governors from 2004-13, and was Vice Chairman from 2000-03.
Nancy Schultz is a Governor’s Associate for the NWHOF after being a member of the Board of Governors from 1998-2004. The NWHOF honors an outstanding wrestler each year with the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. The award is based on exceptional wrestling success, scholastic achievement and citizenship or community service. The national winner is selected from winners at the state and regional levels.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. With museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa, the Hall of Fame has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world including the Hall of Honors in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where wrestling legends are enshrined at the national, regional, and state level. The rich heritage and diversity of the sport will be highlighted throughout the newly-renovated museum. There is also a library featuring historical documents and books on the sport as well as a theater. The Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is currently closed to visitors while undergoing an entire interior renovation. It is scheduled to re-open on June 3-4, 2016, just in time to celebrate its 40th anniversary at the annual Honors Weekend induction ceremonies.
Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations