Kyle Klingman sent in the following press release:
Raschke and Rheingans to enter Greco-Roman Hall of Champions
WATERLOO, Iowa—Two professional wrestling superstars will be recognized by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for their achievements in Greco-Roman wrestling. Jim Raschke and Brad Rheingans will enter the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions.
The Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions is located inside the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo.
An induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2014, at the Kennedy Center on the campus of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. This is the fifth induction class.
In addition to their successful careers in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), Raschke and Rheingans were pioneers in Greco-Roman wrestling. Raschke (known by his ring name of Baron Von Raschke) placed third at the 1963 World Championships in the heavyweight division, becoming only the second American wrestler to win a medal in the Greco-Roman Worlds.
Rheingans made two Greco-Roman Olympic teams and wrestled on three World Championship teams during his international career. The highlight of Rheingans’s career came at the 1979 World championships where he placed third at 220 pounds.
“I feel extremely honored to be recognized in this way,” said Raschke. “We didn’t know at the time that we were pioneers, so this honor is something that I never expected. This is very humbling and a big surprise.”
Raschke and Rheingans were also inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Raschke was inducted in 2002 and Rheingans was inducted in 2004.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will also induct Jim Burke (posthumously) and Jim Martinez into the Hall of Champions. Dave Curby will receive the Alan Rice Leadership Award and the Martinez Family will receive the Legacy Award.
Contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org for more information on the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions. Banquet tickets are $50 each and can be ordered online by clicking here.
5th Annual Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions
Saturday, October 18, 2013, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Augsburg College, Christensen Center Commons, 720 22nd Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Honoring
Hall of Champions
Jim Burke
Jim Raschke
Brad Rheingans
Jim Martinez
Legacy Award
Martinez Family
Alan Rice Leadership Award
Dave Curby
Saturday, October 18, 2014
6:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Honors Ceremony
~business casual~
Augsburg College
Christensen Center Commons
720 22nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454