The Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum established the State Chapter program in 1993. The purpose is to recognize and honor those coaches, officials and contributors who represent the best qualities, characteristics and attributes wrestling has to offer and who share those qualities, characteristics and attributes with young women and men, day-in and day-out in the wrestling room and in life.
Oklahoma Chapter
Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Chapter Honorees
Latest Oklahoma Chapter Inductees
Matt Surber
Incoming Class of 2026
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Josh Briscoe
Incoming Class of 2026
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Todd Glasgow
Incoming Class of 2026
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Don Langham
Incoming Class of 2026
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Mark Hudson
Incoming Class of 2026
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Billy Simpson
Incoming Class of 2026
Medal of Courage
Tanner Garrett
Incoming Class of 2026
Outstanding American
Latest High School Excellence Award Winners
NOMINATIONS
Lifetime Service To Wrestling
Given in recognition of at least 20-years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in the youth through the sport of wrestling.
Outstanding American
Given to former wrestlers who are highly successful and use the disciplines learned in wrestling in their profession.
Medal of Courage
Is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges.
OKLAHOMA CHAPTER HONOREE NOMINATION PACKAGES ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOUND BELOW. ALL FORMS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN APRIL 1.
Send completed form(s) to: okchapter@nwhof.org
OKLAHOMA CHAPTER BOARD
Steve Ferguson – President
A. L. Haizlip – Vice President
Paul Ameen – Secretary
Howard Seay – Treasurer
Mike Clark
Todd Goolsby
Dr. Robert Hines
Mark Kirk
Hardell Moore
Howard Seay
Melissa Simmons
Lisa Smith
okchapter@nwhof.org
2026 OKLAHOMA CHAPTER CEREMONY
October 4, 2026
3 PM Reception
4 PM Meal
5 PM Ceremony
Location: Hilton Garden Inn & Edmond Conference Center2833 Conference Dr. Edmond, OK 73034
HONOREES
Lifetime Service to Wrestling: Matt Surber, Josh Briscoe, Todd Glasgow, Don Langham, and Mark Hudson
Medal of Courage: Billy Simpson
Outstanding American: Tanner Garrett
AWARD
Madalene & Lee Roy Smith Family Award: David and Ronnie James Family
HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS
Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award: Millie Azlin
Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award: Jake Miller
Questions: okchapter@nwhof.org
Oklahoma Chapter News
Latest Oklahoma Chapter News
Oklahoma Chapter to Induct Seven in October
The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will honor seven outstanding individuals at its 2026 induction ceremony on October 4 in Edmond.
Coaches Don Langham, Matt Surber, and the late Todd Glasgow, as well as officials Josh Briscoe and Mark Hudson will receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award. Lieutenant Colonel Tanner Garrett will be honored as an Outstanding American Award and Billy Simpson will receive the Medal of Courage.
In addition to these traditional awards sanctioned by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Chapter will present its Madalene and Lee Roy Smith Family Award to the James Family from Del City.
Oklahoma Chapter to Induct Seven in October
The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will honor seven outstanding individuals at its 2025 induction ceremonies in Edmond in October.
Coaches Jack Hornbuckle, Michael Lightner, Dan Pettigrew and John Smith, as well as longtime wrestling sports reporter Mac Bentley will receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award. Colonel Kelly Laughlin will be presented the Outstanding American Award and former highway patrolman Robert Nale, Jr. will receive the Medal of Courage.
Meritorious Official Honoree Jerry Kuntz Passes Away
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn that Jerry Kuntz, who was honored as Meritorious Official by the Hall of Fame in 2014 and who received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008, passed away on Monday, at the age of 69.
Oklahoma Chapter Banquet Draws Record Crowd of 435
The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's banquet on October 6 had 435 people in attendance, making it the largest crowd to ever attend this very special event and easily shattering the record established in 2023.
Oklahoma Chapter to Induct Seven in October
Seven outstanding individual representatives of the sport of wrestling will be inducted into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at its annual banquet on Oct. 6 in Edmond.
Oklahoma Chapter to Induct Seven in October
The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will honor seven outstanding representatives of the sport at its annual induction banquet on October 8 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Edmond.
Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame to Induct Seven in October
The Oklahoma Chapter has added a new state award, the Madalene and Lee Roy Smith Family Wrestling Award, that will be presented annually to a family that has had great success in wrestling and brought credit to the sport in the state.
Oklahoma Chapter Announces Class of 2021
The Class of 2021 will be honored on October 10 at the Hilton Garden Inn Edmond, 2833 Conference Dr., Edmond, OK 73034. There will be a reception at 3 p.m. followed by a banquet at 4 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 5 p.m.
Our Mission: Preserve wrestling history, recognize extraordinary achievement and inspire greatness
Our Vision: Be the definitive steward and champion of wrestling history and achievement
Our Values: Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration and Service