Alan and Gloria Rice, namesakes of the hall of champions, have been instrumental to the success of Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States. Alan Rice was a Big Ten champion and an All-American for the University of Minnesota. In 1956 he won double national titles in Greco-Roman and freestyle. He also placed fifth at the 1956 Olympics and was coach of the 1972 Greco-Roman Olympic team.
He and his wife, Gloria, helped found the Minnesota Wrestling Club. The club enjoys the unique distinction of placing a wrestler on every World and Olympic team since 1964, a record unequalled in American wrestling history. The Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions is located inside the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo.
"I'm glad to have another opportunity to recognize the great champions of Greco-Roman wrestling," said Rice. "I am looking forward to continued success at the World Championships and the Olympic Games."
Gardner is the most decorated Greco-Roman wrestler in the United States. He shocked the world at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, when he defeated legendary Russian wrestler Alexander Karelin in the finals of the superheavyweight division. Karelin had won 12 World and Olympic titles up to that point. Gardner also won the 2001 World Championships and captured a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Gardner joins the Class of 2009 in this elite Hall. The inaugural class included Olympic champions Steve Fraser and Jeff Blatnick and World champions Mike Houck, Dennis Hall and Joe Warren.
The Jim and Olive Morgan family will be given the first Greco-Roman Legacy Award for their tremendous accomplishments in wrestling, specifically in the Greco-Roman discipline. A family of 12 kids (six boys and six girls) Jim passed along his boxing and wrestling skills to his boys.
John, Gordy and Marty Morgan (sons of Jim and Olive) won a combined 10 national Greco-Roman titles and competed in two Olympics and two World championships.
Alan Rice will also be recognized for his contributions to wrestling. Alan will accept the inaugural Alan Rice Leadership Award. In subsequent years, this award will be given to someone who exhibits leadership and service within Greco-Roman wrestling.
Ticket prices are $50 and can be purchased online at dgm-nwhof.ticketleap.com or by calling the museum at 319-233-0745.
A reception will begin at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 and honors ceremony at 8:00.
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