As a contributor to wrestling, Mel Jones enhanced the sport with a unique gift ... he delivered its crown jewel, its national museum and Hall of Fame.

Dr. Jones never was a wrestler, much to his sorrow. Because of an accident when he was a youngster, he walked on crutches, braces and/or casts for more than eight years. He is a survivor of open heart surgery and wears a pacemaker. But physical handicaps never kept him from earning high academic honors, nor from an outstanding career as a college professor, scientist, author, diplomat, business executive and philanthropist. And, of course, wrestling fan.

He received his Ph.D. at the age of 24 and four years later became the youngest full professor in the history of Oklahoma State University. An agronomist, he served four years in the Point IV program to Cuba, developing that nation's agricultural program and earning a Citation of Merit from the Cuban government.

When Myron Roderick, the first executive director of USA Wrestling, took his dream of a Hall of Fame to Dr. Jones in 1972, Mel's answer was, "Let's do it." He organized a corporation, involved financial backers and guaranteed that the building would be delivered debt-free. Then he hit the road and raised $600,000 to make good on his promise.

Four years later, USA Wrestling had an empty museum with no funds for its development. Mel Jones reorganized the Board of Governors to bring the Hall of Fame to life. He gave of his own money, then went out and raised more. He was USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 1973 and the first winner of the Hall of Fame's Order of Merit in 1992.

He has been a generous donor of time, money and effort on behalf of three universities, the United Fund, and worthy youth programs.

For his leadership in building and developing a national shrine to all areas of The Oldest Sport, Dr. Melvin D. Jones was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1996 after being the inaugural recipient of the Order of Merit from the Hall of Fame in 1992.