Hall of Fame 2005

What a way to start the 2005-06 wrestling season!

In a packed room ( over 200 ) honoring some great people.If this can't get you excited for the new season then you are in the wrong sport.

Gonz, Richard and the rest of the committee you did a wonderful job!!!!

Ned Price

I agree, a top notch program!

Unfortunately I was unable to attend, somebody had to keep the lights on! The boys said it was allot of fun. Did anyone happen to tape the event or could share some pictures?

Mark Miller
Manhattan Wrestling

The official photographer promised she would email some of the pictures that she took. Once I get them, I'll post them onto the website and will put a link on here.

This is the third year for this program. I've had a wonderful time meeting some of the legends of our sport and hearing their stories. This would have never happened if Bob Gonzales hadn't taken it on and pressed the state to endorse it. Congratulations, Gonz ... I think this Hall of Fame thing is going to work!!

Some photos from the ceremony are now available.

Click Here

Hey Mike id like to tell you who should be in the hall of fame is a former coach if the beloit high school wrestling coach Ken piazza

The state is divided into separate regions for purposes of the annual induction into the state chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. North Central Kansas will come up on the rotation in 2008. At that time, we will be soliciting nominations ... I would suggest that you nominate Coach Piazza then.

The nominating committee for the Kansas Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame met May 04, 2005 in Emporia and selected the following nominees from the Northeast section of the state. The Northeast section includes the City of Emporia and the approximate area bounded by Highway 56 East and West to Highway 77 North. Counties included in this District are Doniphan, Atchison, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Geary, Riley Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Jackson, Jefferson, and Pottawatomie.

The nominating committee is seeking review of the following list to ensure we have not forgotten any deserving candidate. The list of nominees, after information is gathered supporting each nominee, will be culled to ten finalists. The ten finalist’s application will then be submitted to the National Wrestling Coaches Association for final approval to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Please review the list, and if there is a nominee you believe the committee has inadvertently forgotten, please contact the undersigned or a member of the committee.

The deadline for applications is May 20, 2005!

1 Akin, John
2 Bennett, Ben
3 Blosser, Gary
4 Bringle, Herman L.
5 Brown, Bob
6 Burns, Richard J. (Dick)
7 Cairns, Robert (deceased)
8 Elvin, Chas. (Chuck)
9 Hodges, Troy L.
10 Knorr, Fritz (deceased)
11 Knorr, William R.
12 Meier, Gerald (Jerry)
13 Sadowski, Gerald (deceased)
14 Sands, Pat
15 Sheets, Dean
16 Stanhope, William S. (Bill)
17 Switzky, Dennis W.
18 Tilton, Larry (deceased)
19 Ulmer, Gary
20 Upham, Kenny
21 Vest, Don
22 Wesfahl, Randy
23 Woodford, C. Lee

Robert M. Gonzales
gonzalesr@snh450.k12.ks.us

Mike Juby
mikejuby@usawks.com

Curtis Simons
csimons@usd252.org

Richard D. Salyer
RichardDSalyer@sbcglobal.net

The nominees for the class of 2005 have been submitted to the Hall of Fame for approval. This years Nominees were from the NE Kansas area, an area comprised roughly of Distrit I.

This years Hall of Fame Banquet and Ceremony will be held November 06, 2005 at the Capitol Plaza in Topeka.

The ticket price for the event has increased to $35.00. It was with much difficulty that the price was increased, however the National Hall of Fame will be providing the Honoree's with a jacket, which must be paid for. The donation (ticket price) is to cover the expense of the Banquet and the annual fee to the Hall of Fame. This is not a fund raising event, but a Ceremony to honor these individuals who have provided so much to our sport.

The schedule of events has been set:

4:00 P.M. Social Hour
5:00 P.M. Dinner
5:30 P.M. Awards Ceremony
7:30 P.M. Close

The Honorees names will be posted after notification from the National Hall of Fame of approval.

The 2005 Nominees approved for induction into the Kansas Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame are:

Beltch, James L. (Retired Lawrence High School Wrestling Coach and current USAW Kansas Kids official)

Bennett, Ralph B. (Ben) (Retired Junction City High School Wrestling Coach and USAW Kansas and USA Wrestling director)

Elvin, Chuck (Olathe Kids Wrestling Club and former USAW Kansas director and current USA Wrestling Board of Directors member)

Elvin, Cherie (Olathe Kids Wrestling Club and former USAW Kansas membership director and Secretary/Treasurer)

Knorr, Fritz G., POSTHUMOUS (Former Kansas State University wrestling coach, and generally recognized as the father of Kansas Kids wrestling)

Tilton, Larry R., POSTHUMOUS (Former Atchison County Community (Effingham) High School Head Coach)

Ulmer, Gary (Former Olathe and Olathe North Wrestling Coach, Olathe Kids Club, USAW Kansas director)

Vest, Don W. (Topeka Tornadoes Kids Club, Sunflower Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling Club)

Woodford, C. Lee (Former Manhattan High School Wrestling Coach)

Banquet Update!

The negotiated room rate for Saturday and/or Sunday November 05 and 06, 2005 is $79.00 per night, for single/double occupancy; additional adults $10.00 each.

The Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka would like to make it easy when making room reservations. You may either inform your guests to call us at 1-800-579-7937 and ask for the Natl. Hall of Fame – Ks Chapter or your guests may book through our website: Capitol Plaza Hotel

Following are the simple steps to make your reservation via our website:
1. Go to Capitol Plaza Hotel
2. Select “Make a Reservation”
3. Select arrival/departure date
4. Enter # of adults and children
5. Type your promo code: FAME
6. Scroll to bottom and click on next
7. Select room type, then continue
8. Enter your personal information to make reservation
9. Review Hotel Policies
10. Print Confirmation

If you have any questions or difficulties making reservation, please give our reservations department a call.

i would just like to say that my great grandpa and my uncle were both nominated and my great grandpa was inducted