The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced that it has hired Steven Jastrabek as a Development Officer. He will be responsible for fundraising with a primary focus on major gifts and corporate sponsorships.

"Steven possesses not only knowledge and experience in fundraising, but also with the sport of wrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “He has a sincere passion for philanthropy and will help us to engage those people who want to support an organization that is making a lasting impact on wrestling and society.”

Per the organization’s bylaws, Jastrabek will resign from the Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors, having been appointed in March of 2017. He served as president of the Hall of Fame’s New Jersey Chapter for four years from 2014-2017, and was honored as its Outstanding American in 2017.

"I believe that wrestling is the best sport out there for young kids,” said Jastrabek. “The individual attention, dedication and sacrifice this sport requires will positively shape the rest of your life. To be a part of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's mission of preserving, recognizing and inspiring future generations is an honor."

Jastrabek was instrumental in fundraising for the United States Olympic wrestling team in 2000. He founded the New Jersey Night of Champions program, which raised more than $1 million for amateur wrestling in 2004, and serves as executive director of the Night of Legends Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for amateur wrestling.

He wrestled for Pope John High School in Sparta Township, New Jersey, and finished third in the state championships in 1978. He was captain of the post graduate wrestling team at Blair Academy and won the national prep championship in 1979. Steven wrestled at Clarion State University from 1980-82, compiling a 32-7 career record, and he won a senior open freestyle championship in 1987. He tried out for the Olympic team in 1988, but did not make the team.

Jastrabek credits wrestling for giving him the confidence to build a celebrity clientele at his Steven John Salons in Bernardsville, New Jersey. He was considered one of the best hairstylists in the world, and Ranker.com selected him to its All-Time Hall of Fame hairstylist list.

Jastrabek will work in association with Mike Doughty, who has been a Development Officer with the Hall of Fame since 2013. Doughty’s primary focus has been the Wrestling Beyond the Walls Dan Gable Museum Capital Campaign, a $1.5 million project that will transform the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, into a state-of-the-art museum with interactive displays. It will also expand the facility’s wrestling room, teaching center and theater, providing more opportunities for youth wrestlers to practice and receive instruction.