For a person who never wrestled in high school, Gary Smith took it to the highest level at St. Cloud State University. He also set high standards in the Business World too. Gary went to Grove City High School in Minnesota and was recruited to St. Cloud State for Track and Football. Gary got interested in wrestling when Wrestling Coach Willis Wood (2-time Big 10 Champ) asked him to come out for wrestling. Coach Wood also served as an assistant football coach. Gary went out for wrestling and it became a life changing decision. Gary put together a 45-13-9 record. Gary won back to back NAIA National Championships at 191 Pounds, and was selected SCSU's Outstanding Wrestler award in 1964. Gary was also in the 1964 Final Olympic Trials at New York City. He also placed 3rd in the NAIA Track and Field Championships his junior year in the Shot Put. Gary's shot put record at SCSU stood for over 30 Years. Smith embarked on an outstanding wrestling officiating career too. Gary officiated from 1965 to 1990. It's safe to say Gary has officiated more National Wrestling Championships than any other official in Minnesota history. He officiated the NJCAA Tournament for 20 years (15 as Head Official, 12 in the NAIA, 10 in the NCAA I Tournaments (1980-1990), and 4 National Catholic Tournament Championships. Gary also officiated 10 prestigious Midlands Tournament, which included Olympic Champions, World Medalists, and wrestlers still competing with teams in the NCAA. In addition to the National Tournaments and Midlands, Gary worked 3 Big Eight and 7 Big Ten Tournaments, 5 as Head Official. Another highlight was working the East/West Dual in 1987. Smith says, "Working with Bob Siddens and Don Meyers were very influential in forming my style of officiating and wrestling." Don Meyers says, "Gary Smith was a good official all the time, not just some of the time!" Gary's fondest memory as a wrestler was winning the national title and repeating the next year. "As an Official there are many," Gary says, "Officiating the 100th Bedlam Dual between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State at Oklahoma State was a blast, great wrestling and a great crowd, chairs on the floor right up to the mat. "Working the NJCAA Tournament in Worthington for twenty years was, Special," says Gary. "Roy Minter was a Junior College wrestling coach (Willmar CC) who got me involved with the JC's." Gary served as Head Official for 15 years and was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1979. Other Hall of Fame honors include the NAIA Hall of Fame (honoring Gary as an Athlete in 1981), St. Cloud State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983, and again in 2004 when his former 1963 St. Cloud State Husky Wrestling team was honored and inducted. Wrestling taught him to set goals and stay on track to achieve them. Gary says, "It's essential that you make a commitment to set goals. Set a timetable for your goals, medium term and long term and evaluate your goals periodically. Remember, think BIG, have a dream and hard work. These are the things from wrestling that has helped me having a successful career. Wrestling Can Change Your Life!" Gary retired a few years ago, but still keeps busy. He does consulting jobs on the side. Gary also enjoys serving on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board for the past 15 years, where he chairs a few committees. Gary also enjoys playing golf periodically. Wife Jan and he travel a lot on vacations and to see the children and grandchildren. Gary gets in some fishing now and then too. The local granddaughters love to fish their small lake! Gary has had an outstanding professional career too which has "Hall of Fame" qualities as well. Gary served in various leadership positions with Waldorf Paper, and Hoerner-Waldorf from 1965-1977. From 1977 to 1984 Gary held a number of high leadership roles with Cummins Engines. From 1984-87, Gary was Vice President of White Engine Company in Canton, Ohio. From 1987-1996 Gary served as President of Hercules Engines, Inc. (previously White Engines). Gary was President of Signa StorTech Systems, Inc. from 1996-1998 and served as Chairman in recent years. Gary was President & CEO of High Plains Corporation in Wichita, Kansas from 1998-2001 (now owned by Abengoa). As Gary says, "our family has been blessed." Gary & Jan celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary in September. Their four children include Tim's family with two daughters are living in Atlanta, GA. Daughter Chris and her family live in Columbus, Indiana with a daughter and two sons. Son Chad and his wife live in Lexington, Kentucky. Son Lane's family lives in Canton, Ohio, where Gary and Jan live as well. Lane's family has three daughters. In addition, we have two great grandchildren now that Molly has had a son. Gary Smith was successful at everything he set out to accomplish and that success, along with his strong character, definitely make him Hall of Fame worthy! We are proud he is Minnesota homegrown!