Welcome to the Illinois Chapter of the NWHOF
2026 NWHOF-IL Committee members: Dale Eggert (President), Todd Rosenthal (Vice President), Joe Cliffe (Treasurer), Tony Clarke, Randy Conrad, Mike Garland, Dave Klemm, Rob Ledin, Debbie Nason, Mike Manahan, Rich Montgomery, Kevin Puebla, and Mick Torres (Secretary).
Contact information: e-mail: ilchapter@nwhof.org
Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Year: 2025
Medal of Courage
Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Year: 2025
Outstanding American
Year: 2025
Medal of Courage
Year: 2025
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Nominations
You can print a nomination form by going to the nomination link above. Send nominations to: Mick Torres, 2522 Fen View Cir., Island Lake, IL 60042 or e-mail to nwhof.il@gmail.com
Lifetime Service To Wrestling
Given in recognition of years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in the youth through the sport of wrestling.
Outstanding American
Given to former wrestlers who are highly successful and use the disciplines learned in wrestling in their profession.
Medal of Courage
Is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges.
Illinois Chapter Board
2025 NWHOF-IL Committee members: Dale Eggert (President), Todd Rosenthal (Vice President), Joe Cliffe (Treasurer), Tony Clarke, Randy Conrad, Mike Garland, Dave Klemm, Rob Ledin, Debbie Nason, Mike Manahan, Rich Montgomery, Kevin Puebla, and Mick Torres (Secretary).
Contact information: e-mail: nwhof.il@gmail.com
More than 230 family, friends and honored guests celebrated the Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 on October 19.
Front Row (L to R): Rob Sherrill (Lifetime Service), Matt Hughes (Outstanding American), Rob Ledin (Lifetime Service).
Back Row (L to R): Ron Coit (Lifetime Service), Mike Garland (Lifetime Service), Jim Heffernan (Lifetime Service) and Jeff Hill (Lifetime Service).
Medal of Courage recipient Antonia Phillips is not pictured.
Eight extraordinary individuals will be honored Sunday, October 19, 2025, by the Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Bloomington, Illinois.
Ron Coit, Mike Garland, Jim Heffernan, Jeff Hill, Rob Ledin and Rob Sherrill will be honored with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award. MMA superstar and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes will be honored with the Outstanding American award and Aurora College wrestler Antonia Phillips will receive the Chapter’s Medal of Courage at this honors banquet and induction ceremony.
The Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2024 at the DoubleTree by Hilton ballroom in front of over 170 family, friends and guests of some of Illinois wrestling’s finest legends. The event was held in Alsip, IL on Sunday, October 6, 2024
This year’s class included (Pictured: front row left to right): Pete Alber (Dakota, Lifetime Service), Dru Goodman (Riverwoods, Outstanding American), Mike Matozzi (Hinsdale South, Lifetime Service), Ed Giese (Fenton, Lifetime Service); Back Row: Jim Chaloupka (Berwyn, Lifetime Service), John Welter (Fox Lake, Lifetime Service), and Adam Sikes (Lake Zurich, Medal of Courage).
It is with great pleasure that the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Illinois Chapter announces its Class of 2024.
The induction ceremony will be held on October 6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton-Alsip Hotel, 5000 W. 127th St., Alsip, Illinois.
On June 25, 2024, National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Illinois Chapter Board Member Joe Cliffe was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame Illinois Chapter Vice President Dale Eggert will be inducted into the Midlands Championships Hall of Fame at this year's 59th Annual Midlands Wrestling Championships.
The Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame held its annual Honors Banquet on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Alsip, Illinois.
Our Mission: Preserve wrestling history, recognize extraordinary achievement and inspire greatness
Our Vision: Be the definitive steward and champion of wrestling history and achievement
Our Values: Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration and Service