Dan Gable International Wrestling Museum, Part Three

Saturday morning, I rose at 6 a.m. and decided to write a few letters as I had my laptop with me. As I checked my mailbox, I got one of the biggest shocks as I read about Little Kato's daughter Brooke. She had died the night before and was not even 3. She had been born with heart problems and already had undergone a few operations to try and correct them. Please remember her in your prayers.

At 8 a.m., I met with all the guys at the hotel cafe and had a solid breakfast to hold me over for the long day ahead. At 9 a.m., Bob and I headed over to the Gable Wrestling Museum for the morning inductions for the Class of 2009 in the Professional wing of the Museum.

In front of the small ring that sets in the room as a reminder of where our trade was shown, we listened as the names were called one by one to be applauded. Many dignitaries filled the room like past Honorees, Guests and their families. Names like Tom Andrews, Larry "The Ax" Hennig, Dan Hodge, Bob Geigel, Baron Von Raschke and Bob Roop were some of the Alumni for the Museum. The museum staff were received well by the audience that numbered around 150.

Radio personalities like Scott Casber with a nationwide hook up brought live action to the festivities and gave the entire country a blow by blow description of the event. I was saddened not to see Alumni Verne Gagne or Brad Rheingans from Minneapolis.

The noon whistle rang out in the Museum, and the program began with Mike Chapman speaking about the museum and its "Rebuilding" during the past year. He spoke about the words Roddy Piper had said to him at the dinner banquet the year before and how much they meant to him. Roddy said, "So you got a little water … get TOUGH and FIGHT back," and Mike said that's exactly what we did. The museum is back to its original state and as pretty as ever.

Mike Mooneyham was the first to be inducted for his work in the wrestling field as an author and historian. He has had one of the longest running columns in the country at the Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina for over 21 straight years. He also is a sports columnist and speaker for after dinner banquets. His speech was short and to the point, and he graciously accepted the Jim Melby award presented to him by Bill Murdock.

Bob Geigel was next to the podium to share some stories about Bill Kersten, an announcer that worked for his Heart of America Sports promotion in Kansas City. Bill was the recipient of the Lou Thesz award. It has been given for the past few years to an outstanding citizen who has went beyond the call to give of themselves in many ways to the community and the country as well. Among many of the hats that Bill has worn in his life are that or being Mayor of Liberty, Missouri. He was also a benefactor for college students, giving $5,000 a year out of his own funds to make life a little easier for those that needed help.

Bob reminded the audience that, aside from being an announcer for over 17 years, Bill wrestled on a few momentous occasions. Once against Dr. Ken Ramey and twice against me in tag team matches. Bill was very humble in accepting the Lou Thesz award as he had know Lou for a lot of years prior to Lou's passing. He closed his speech with his trademark opening to the wrestling programs that he hosted by calling out "Helloooooooooooooooooooooo Wrestling Fans … Are You Ready?"

Next, the Frank Gotch Award was acknowledged. Ivan Koloff was scheduled to accept but had undergone back surgery just a few days before. Kent Sesker accepted for Ivan.

Bronko Nagurski was the first deceased athlete to be honored, and his son Tony came in from Chicago to accept for his family. He talked about how difficult times were back when his father was wrestling and playing pro ball at the same time. It was during the depression years that Bronko made a huge impact in the sports world, gaining a spot in the College as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fames. Bronko was also an NWA Champ several times during the 30's and 40's. In his retirement years, Bronko ran a gas station in International Falls, Minnesota.

Luther Lindsay was next to be honored as an outstanding African-American athlete. He was trained by Stu Hart for the professional ranks and died in the ring in 1972 at age 47.

Karl Gotch, who was born in Belgium, was one of the most accomplished "shoot fighters" to ever grace the confines of a wrestling ring. He was taught at the Wigan "Snake Pit" where Billy Robinson, Les Thornton, Black Angus and a few other greats were schooled in the arts of submission wrestling. Karl's award was accepted by Mike Chapman on behalf of the Museum.

Ricky Steamboat was to be honored during the event but had been sent to Japan by the WWE to substitute for Gerald Brisco, who had been hospitalized.

Fritz Von Goering, a feisty athlete from the 40's thru the 60's, came next to the mike and accepted his honor in memory of his good friend Lou Thesz. He told a few good stories about himself when he was wrestling and then reminded the audience about his promise to keep coming each year to the museum as long as his health remained good enough to be there.

Nick Bockwinkel was called to the podium, and, true to his honor, he was able to keep the capacity crowd in the palm of his hands with stories about himself and his famous father Warren, who also wrestled during the Thesz era.

The program concluded for the afternoon, and all the honorees and alumni were asked to retreat to a separate wing of the museum and sign autographs and greet guests.

Bob Roop and I were there until around 5 p.m. and returned to the Ramada to get ready for the dinner banquet across the way at the Five Sullivan Brothers Center.

To be continued…

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers