By David Gerhart
USA Wrestling

USA Wrestling’s Manager of Men’s Freestyle Programs Joe Russell and his brother Dan Russell, who is Executive Director for Wrestling for Peace, are both being honored by the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at their 2026 Honors Banquet on October 3 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon.

The Russell brothers are among eight recipients of the Lifetime Service to Wrestling, which is given in recognition of 20 years or more of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in the youth through the sport of wrestling.

Joe Russell has been part of the USA Wrestling staff since 2017. In 2007, he was awarded the Medal of Courage by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is given to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, inspiring others.

Joe Russell was an elite high school wrestler in Gresham, Ore., and was already competing on the Senior level in Greco-Roman while still a teenager. In 1985, a motorcycle accident left Russell fighting for his life and facing severe damage to his body and brain. With amazing will and courage, Russell battled back through a long and grueling recovery process to not only return to the mat but become a success in all aspects of his life.

Dan Russell is currently the Executive Director and Ambassador for Wrestling For Peace. He is a prominent figure in international sports diplomacy, humanitarian action and community leadership.

On the mat, Dan Russell was a four-time NCAA Division II national champion at Portland State University. He was also an alternate on the 1992 and 1996 Olympic teams. In 1995, Dan won the prestigious Poddubny Tournament in Perm, Russia, earning the title of Unofficial Champion of the World. Dan Russell moved into coaching and later became the Olympic coach for Guam in 2004. He coached for several years at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and he is recognized worldwide as a top-notch clinician.

Joining Dan and Joe Russell in being honored in the Class of 2026 at the NWHOF Oregon Chapter Honor Banquet are Jeff Corliss, Tammy Johnson, Walt Markee, Kacey McNulty, Jeremy Rhoades and Jeff Zerba.

For more information and additional event details on the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Oregon Chapter Honor Banquet, visit https://nwhof.org/state-chapters/oregon/news/nwhof-oregon-chapter-names-class-of-2026.

Before the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Banquet on Saturday, October 3, Wrestling For Peace will host its 2026 Fall Gala on Friday, October 2, at the University Club of Portland.

The Wrestling For Peace Fall Gala features Sandy Stevens, “First Lady of Wrestling”, as the Master of Ceremonies. Actor, wrestling legend and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture will also be a guest speaker at the event.

Wrestling For Peace has joined forces with USA Wrestling, United World Wrestling and international wrestling federations across the world for its 2026 Global Campaign. The campaign fosters sportsmanship and unity, while providing the opportunity for cultural exchange, community engagement, and diplomatic dialogue.

Wrestling For Peace aims to elevate the positive impact of wrestling, turning each event into an opportunity for global peace-building and lasting change.

To purchase tickets to the Wrestling For Peace Gala and for more details, visit wrestlingforpeace.org.