New Mexico Wrestling - USA

Since the inception of the New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame, in 2004, we have honored a total of 55 of our states greatest contributors to the sport.  We have congratulated athletes, coaches, officials and citizens.

Our selection process is a blend of the best practices of the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame and the Heisman Trophy selection process.  Once nominated, a person remains in consideration forever. 

As you can see, the New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame was founded in February of 2004.  The Hall of Fame is privately funded, with support from New Mexico Wrestling-USA and the Greater Albuquerque Wrestling Officials Association.

Inductees receive a beautiful plaque, inscribed with their name, hometown and the year they are inducted.  The plaque holds a space for their favorite photo.  A duplicate plaque is constructed for display, alongside fellow inductees.

The Hall of Fame was originally housed at Applebees, on Albuquerque’s West Side.  When new ownership bought the restaurant, they chose not to display things like our Hall of Fame.  Our physical display has been homeless since June of 2009.

The display features our entire Hall of Fame, plus memorabilia from some of New Mexico’s great wrestling moments.  Several Olympic and World Champions have been included in the presentation.  It is a magnificent display !

We are still courting couple of Albuquerque area restaurants interested in reviving the Hall of Fame display.  We are also taking a look at venues other than restaurant settings.   It remains a top priority to find a permanent home for the Hall.

When the idea for the New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame was first conceived, we considered a few formats.  Researching State Chapter Membership with the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, we found the cost of membership prohibitive.  While still a consideration, we would definitely have to explore new funding dynamics to make this connection.

We continue to inch closer to holding an annual Hall of Fame BANQUET.  It would be a real treat to have an evening just to sit together, as a wrestling community, and celebrate the best of our best.  Information I’ve been able to gather indicates it would cost each of us somewhere between $25 and $40 a plate to get the right facility. 

The big debate WHEN to hold the banquet.  I’d really like to hear your thoughts on the right time and the right cost that would get maximum attendance by the entire New Mexico Wrestling Community.

As you know, Mr Evans made the decision to eliminate our presentation from the State High School Tournament in 2012.  We continue to work with the NMAA in an effort to put our brief presentation back into the tournament schedule.  It helps, a lot, if you let NMAA know you care.

I look forward to seeing you and to sharing ideas about the growth and development of the New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame.  If you are actively involved in the folkstyle season, I wish you and yours good health, good training and good results.  From my family to yours… Happy New Year!

Rusty

You can reach me at any of the following:

Rusty Davidson                         rustyd@7cities.net

PO Box 1054                                       mobile:  505.980.9041

Grants, NM  87020