The historic partnership was announced today by Jim Keen Sr., Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, and Bob Buckley, President of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum.
Highlights of the partnership include:
- As of June 6, the Dan Gable International Wrestling Museum and Institute in Waterloo, Iowa will be known as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum will retain its current name and continue to operate in Stillwater, Okla.
- Management for both museums will be combined, with joint marketing, fundraising, promotion, education and other programs executed out of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater. The joint operation will combine each museum's resources to operate more efficiently, which will allow for greater public awareness and education efforts to further inspire the next generation of champion athletes.
- Each museum will continue to host its unique series of events, as in the past.
“For some time, it has been the feeling of both of our board of directors that we could better serve the sport by working together,†said Jim Keen, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. “We have reached an agreement to combine our operations under the umbrella of the Hall of Fame in Stillwater.â€
“Because we have a common purpose, it made sense to combine our resources so that we can perpetuate the sport's great heritage,†said Bob Buckley, President of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Additionally, Buckley and three other board members from the Dan Gable Museum will join the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Governors.
“Over the next several weeks, we will work together to streamline our management and align our goals to further position ourselves to better serve our mission,†said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. “The benefits of this partnership will increase our overall appeal to the wrestling community and sports fans.â€
Dan Gable, for whom the Waterloo Museum is named, said that he has wanted to see this joint effort. “I want to see us work together because wrestling needs its history to help educate and inspire future generations,†he said. “This collaborative effort is about the growth of our sport.â€
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum board of governors has been formulating a strategic plan to enhance the Hall's ability to achieve its mission of preserving the sport's history, recognizing outstanding achievement and inspiring future generations.
“This agreement aligns with our long range plan and allows us to expand the overall reach across the wrestling community,†Smith said. “With these shared initiatives, we hope to increase our visibility and further develop the sport.â€
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 405 West Hall of Fame Drive in Stillwater, Okla. It is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment on weekends. For more information visit www.wrestlinghalloffame.org or call (405) 377-5243.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and located at 303 Jefferson Street in Waterloo, Iowa. For more information visit www.wrestlingmuseum.org or call (319) 233-0745.
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