| NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL of FAME By Jim & Tony Nordland The 15th annual National Hall of Fame Awards and Induction Ceremony was held at the Huntington Hilton and honored five Long Island Wrestling legends. The honorees were Paul Brodmerkel, Kevin Murphy, Rich Smith, Pete Venier and Joe Russo who was previously inducted, but unable to attend the ceremony in 1996, and didn't have to opportunity to be publicly recognized at home. Paul Brodmerkel (Lindehurst) was a Suffolk County wrestling champion and later attended Lock Haven University where he won two PA College Championships and competed in two NCAA Tournaments. Afetr graduation, he coached at Lindenhurst HS and Hofstra University. He later served as Section XI Wrestling Chairman and has also been inducted in both the Lindenhurst and Lock Haven Halls of Fame. Kevin Murphy (Lynbrook) was an outstanding high school wrestler and won the Nassau County title in 1978. He later competed at the University of Massachusetts and emerged as a three-time finalist in the New England Championships, and was a NCAA qualifier. Kevin has distinguished himself as a positive role model and was the founder or "King" of Lynbrook Kid Wrestling, a position he has held for the past 27 years. Rich Smith (Garden City) began his introduction to wrestling officiating following his graduation from Adelphi University. He has been a LI Wrestling official for the past 45 years and has officiated in the New York State Intersectional Championships, as well as the NCAA Division III National Championships. He has been on the Board of Directors, and in 2008 was made an honorary "Lifetime Member of the EIWOA". Pete Venier (Wantagh) was a LI Wrestling champion in 1956, and he and his twin brother were standout wrestlers for Colgate University. Pete later volunteered as assistant coach at Connetquot HS and tutored many young men to Suffolk County crowns. Pete's true love of the sport was photography and has been a distinguished photo/journalist during his 50-year career. He has covered NYS Tournaments and well as the NCAA Championships, and many of his photos have been selected for publication in Amateur Wrestling News, The Mat Slap and USA Wrestling. Joe Russo (Lindenhurst) was an All-County wrestler in 1972 and later served as the Bulldogs varsity coach for 30 years. He pioneered Lindy Kid wrestling and has been awarded the Coach-of-the-Year Award three times. Many of his wrestlers have won county and state titles, such as NYS champion Glen Lanham, who later became an NCAA All-American at Oklahoma State. Russo's expertise has been in international officiating and has been to five continents, he has officiated four Pan American Games, five Olympic trials and seven World Championships and in 1995 was presented the "Grand Master Award" by the SCWCA. All of the above recipients are worthy candidates for Lifetime Service Awards and induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Congratulations to these five oustanding individuals and their families. |
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| 2009 NATIONAL HALL OF FAME HONORS FIVE |
| The Long Island Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame honored these five (left to right): Paul Brodmerkel, Joe Russo, Pete Venier, Richard Smith and Kevin Murphy. |