Eighteenth Annual "Hall of Fame Day" Banquet
October 31, 2021Embassy Suites, Charleston WV
Ten new members were inducted into the West Virginia Chapter, National Wrestling Hall of Fame on this cool, gloomy Halloween afternoon.
This year's Master of Ceremonies was once again Bill Archer (WV-HOF '07), although he told us that his title was now, "Toastmaster", because he "elevated it". That was just the first of many laughs provided by Coach Archer, who, in his own words, didn't need to tell jokes, because he can just tell stories. And oh, the stories he can tell!
I have to admit I was VERY nervous about covering the ceremony. In prepping for the assignment (although I consider it way more an honor than an assignment), I read over Doc's previous articles. I will never be able to insert Doc's style of humor into this and future articles, nor do I intend to. Doc is and always will be one of a kind. It was reassuring to have him seated right beside me, offering me pointers as the ceremony progressed.
Ten men were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year due to the cancellation of last year's ceremony. Three things that stood out to me while listening to the speeches were:
1) The wrestling community truly is a family, and those members of your wrestling family will be there when you need them the most.
2) These men all gave so unselfishly, either to build programs and facilities that would enhance the lives and careers of young wrestlers, or to spend
countless hours away from their families to officiate matches, or in the late Tyler Westbrook's case, to give so much back to our country as a Green Beret.
3) These men all have a great support system at home. Take a look at the biographical sketches and note how long these men have been married to their
devoted wives. Speaking from experience, it means the world to have a devoted and supporting spouse who may not accompany you all the time, but who
supports you doing what you love to do.
Congratulations to this year's Class of 2021, AND their wives and children!
 |
2021 Hall of Fame inductees Front (L-R): Tom Giovengo, Jr. (son of the late Tom Giovengo, Sr.), Mike Stalnaker, Dean Moore, Randy Daniel, Brian Miluk Back (L-R): Will Westbrook (brother of the late Tyler Westbrook), Sandy McWilliams (wife of the late Ken McWilliams), Jack Regis, Sr., Wayne Yonkelowitz, Jeff Givens |
| Randy Daniel and wife Karen, mother Dee, daugher Kara, siblings J. E., Dennis, and Carol, plus many others from the Daniel family and the Liberty wrestling family |
| Family of the late Tom Giovengo, Sr. : Daughter-in-law Jonette, son Tom, Jr., wife Judy, son Joe, and grandson John |
| Jeff Givens and wife Penny, son Matthew Cain, daughter Stephanie Cain, and a large group of family and friends |
|
Family and friends of the late Ken McWilliams: Wife Sandy McWilliams, daughter Joslyn Bilitski with husband Barry and son Reid, daughter Whitney Solvay with husband John, and family of Barry Gashel (WV HOF '15), long time friends and colleagues Jill Gashel, Ruth Gashel, and Amanda Dillon |
|
Family and friends of Brian Miluk: Front (L-R): Daughter Brianna, daughter Marissa, Brian Miluk, wife Dr. Gail Swarm, daughter Holly Friends (in no particular order): Greg Zafros, Ron Magruder, Tracy Asbury, Billy Thomas, Nick Thomas, Jacob Thomas, Charles Eary |
| Dean Moore, wife Debbie, and family and friends, including Paul Jackson (WV HOF '15) and Gary Porter (WV HOF '18) |
| Jack Regis, Sr., with wife Billie; children Robert, Holly, and Tom; grandchildren Trista and Trey; daughters-in-law Rhonda and Sue; friends Larry and Sylvia Deaton |
| Mike Stalnaker with friends Heath Jenkins, Ray Marling (WV HOF '18), and Chris Diserio |
|
Family and friends of the late Green Beret Sgt. First Class Tyler Milam Westbrook, including mother Marcia Westbrook and brother William L. Westbrook |
|
Wayne Yonkelowitz, wife Pamela, and family and friends |
West Virginia State Chapter, National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Return to the WV-Mat front page