Tom Talbot joined the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors in 2007 and became vice chairman for the Board in 2018. He was recognized as an Outstanding American by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Hall of Fame in 2010 and received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Ohio Chapter in 2013.

Talbot played football at Centerville High School in Centerville, Iowa, which did not start its wrestling program until two years after he graduated. Despite never wrestling, Talbot became an avid fan after being introduced to our sport while attending the University of Northern Iowa. Throughout his adult life, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of wrestling, including creating opportunities for wrestlers at all levels.

He served on the Portage (Wisconsin) High School Wrestling Club Board of Directors and donated materials and installation of a state-of-the-art floor system for the school’s wrestling room. At the University of Wisconsin, he was an active member of the Wisconsin Weigh-In Club, including serving as president for three separate terms. In the 1990s when Wisconsin needed a new wrestling facility, Talbot led the fundraising campaign and organized a volunteer demolition and reconstruction of the wrestling room. When the wrestling room was updated in 2007, Talbot’s companies outfitted the locker room with custom-made materials. Because of his support the Wisconsin wrestling facility is named the “Talbot Wrestling Complex.” He has also generously supported USA Wrestling and wrestling clubs for world-caliber wrestlers.

After receiving his bachelor’s in marketing and business from Northern Iowa in 1971, Talbot moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to broker softwood lumber. In 1979, he began his own lumber company, Glen Oak Lumber & Milling, Inc. Headquartered in Montello, Wisconsin, and with plants and distribution centers in four states, Glen Oak produces a diversified range of hardwood products. Talbot is now retired and living in Oakwood, Georgia.

You never wrestled a day in your life but you are heavily involved in wrestling. How did that happen?

I went to the University of Northern Iowa and my roommates were veterans from Vietnam and wrestling fans. When I transferred to UNI my junior year they took me to a wrestling match and I really enjoyed the sport. Then I had several wrestlers in my business class who became good friends — so there were personal relationships. When we moved to Wisconsin I got to know Duane Kleven, who received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998; Russ Hellickson, a Distinguished Member inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989; Andy Rein, an Olympic silver medalist in 1984; Lee Kemp, a Distinguished Member inducted in 1990; and the list continues to this day.

Why are you involved with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in such a significant way?

Even though I never wrestled, I had the pleasure of having such great friendships with many of the greatest wrestlers in our sport. They have taught me so many lessons that I’ve applied to my business career. My involvement with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is payback for all that I’ve gained for having unique relationships in this sport.

What is the best way to get involved with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame?

I’ve been involved with the lumber industry all my life and I’ve served on all kinds of boards, both regional and national. All of them encompass being committed financially. If you’re not committed with your time and your money then you’re just somebody who wants to build a resume.

The University of Wisconsin wrestling facility is named the “Talbot Wrestling Complex.” How rewarding is it to have your name attached to something so significant?

In all honesty, I wanted it to be named the “Andy Rein Wrestling Complex,” but I couldn’t get that through the athletic department. It was the first and only time that they allowed volunteer labor to demolish and rebuild the wrestling room. Somebody had to drive the change or it wasn’t going to happen. We had great people working on the project. I was not looking for it to be named after me.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

I’ve had a blessed life. I’m from a small town in Iowa. I’ve done things and met people that I never dreamed would happen. I’m very involved in politics. Whether it be politics, whether it be business, or whether it be wrestling — I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the best people in all of those areas.