STILLWATER, Okla. – For the first time in its history, the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has selected a 12-member board of directors to help run the state organization and serve as a voting committee for the state chapter’s Hall of Fame.

The Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater established the State Chapter program in 1993 for the purpose of paying tribute to those coaches, officials and contributors who represent the best qualities of what wrestling has to offer and who share those characteristics with young people every day.

“Our State Chapter programs represent our organization and perpetuate a pay-it-forward culture across the country,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “State Chapters are vital in helping us identify and honor individuals who have been instrumental in our sport at the grassroots level.”

Members of the initial Oklahoma Chapter Board of Directors are:  Paul Ameen (Tulsa), Steve Ferguson (Moore), Todd Goolsby (Midwest City), Dr. Bob Hines (Oklahoma City), A.L. Haizlip (Oklahoma City), David James (Edmond), Mike Kirk (Edmond), Lori May (Broken Arrow), Hardell Moore (Edmond), Greg Oplotnik (Edmond), Howard Seay (Jenks) and Patrick Young (Ponca City).

“We are so pleased with the group of individuals that comprise the first Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame,” said Krista Graff, State Chapter Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Each of them has played an instrumental role in the sport of wrestling in our state and we are confident that they will make the Oklahoma Chapter one of the country’s best.”

Ferguson was elected president, while May will serve as vice-president, Ameen as secretary and Haizlip as treasurer.

“I am honored to be associated with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and its Oklahoma Chapter,” Ferguson said. “We have assembled an outstanding and diverse board to help us serve our mission so that we can have a positive impact in a state that has one of the greatest legacies in our sport.”

The Oklahoma Chapter annually selects Hall of Fame members in three categories – Lifetime Service to Wrestling, Outstanding American and Medal of Courage.

The Lifetime Service to Wrestling is given in recognition of years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship through the sport of wrestling. The Outstanding American is given to former wrestlers who are highly successful and use disciplines learned in wrestling for the profession and the Medal of Courage is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges.

Nominations for the 2017 Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class are due Jan. 6, 2017. Contact Lori May (lori.a.may@hotmail.com) for more information or nomination forms.