Wisconsin Chapter
Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Welcome to the Wisconsin Chapter
Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Welcome to the online home of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The Wisconsin Chapter inducted its first NWHOF honorees in 1998. The first State Chairman of the Wisconsin Chapter was Joe Kaster (Janesville). Joe was instrumental in getting the chapter off the ground and to the level is today, with crowds of 350 to 600 guests attending the State Chapter induction ceremonies. Joe served as State Chairman for fourteen years. Dave Brandvold (River Falls, Baldwin-Woodville) became the second chairman, followed by Keith Swett (Seymour). Keith has implemented new ideas and provided the chapter with planning and direction for the future.
Jim Stephenson (Waunakee) must be recognized for his contributions to the State Chapter of the NWHOF Wisconsin Chapter and Wisconsin's George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jim has served as an iconic wrestling historian and is responsible for designing and seeing to the construction of the Wisconsin Hall of Fame display at The Woodside Sports Center Complex Dome, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
Two Wisconsin Chapter Honorees have served as members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors. Terry Shockley as Chairman and Tom Talbot as a Board Member.
We are also proud of the seven Distinguished Members of the National Hall of Fame, with Wisconsin ties. The first inductee being George Martin (1982), who is referred to as the “Father of Wrestling” in Wisconsin. Following Martin are John and Ben Peterson (1986), Russ Hellickson (1989), Lee Kemp (1996), Barry Davis (2007) and Dennis Hall (2011).
Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Welcome to the online home of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The Wisconsin Chapter inducted its first NWHOF honorees in 1998. The first State Chairman of the Wisconsin Chapter was Joe Kaster (Janesville). Joe was instrumental in getting the chapter off the ground and to the level is today, with crowds of 350 to 600 guests attending the State Chapter induction ceremonies. Joe served as State Chairman for fourteen years. Dave Brandvold (River Falls, Baldwin-Woodville) became the second chairman, followed by Keith Swett (Seymour). Keith has implemented new ideas and provided the chapter with planning and direction for the future.
Jim Stephenson (Waunakee) must be recognized for his contributions to the State Chapter of the NWHOF Wisconsin Chapter and Wisconsin's George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jim has served as an iconic wrestling historian and is responsible for designing and seeing to the construction of the Wisconsin Hall of Fame display at The Woodside Sports Center Complex Dome, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
Two Wisconsin Chapter Honorees have served as members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors. Terry Shockley as Chairman and Tom Talbot as a Board Member.
We are also proud of the seven Distinguished Members of the National Hall of Fame, with Wisconsin ties. The first inductee being George Martin (1982), who is referred to as the “Father of Wrestling” in Wisconsin. Following Martin are John and Ben Peterson (1986), Russ Hellickson (1989), Lee Kemp (1996), Barry Davis (2007) and Dennis Hall (2011).
Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations