Anthony Robles, 2011 NCAA Division I wrestling champion, is among the special honorees to be welcomed into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2012, the Stillwater, Okla.-based facility announced Monday.
Robles, who wrestled for Arizona State despite being born with one leg, will be presented with the Hall’s Medal of Courage, given to a wrestler who has overcome insurmountable challenges. Robles, a three-time NCAA All-American, capped off his career by winning the 125-pound title at the 2011 NCAAs. He is now an assistant wrestling coach for the Sun Devils.
Other individuals who will be presented with special awards in 2012:
- Bill Lied, Jr. will be honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement for Officials award. He was honored by FILA as “first category exceptional” for life. Lied was an official for many international tournaments, including the 1964 Olympic Games.
- Al Bevilacqua will receive the Order of Merit for his contributions to the advancement of wrestling. Bevilacqua has been coaching and promoting wrestling for 47 years as an organizer, administrator, teacher, and coach at the national and state levels. He is also one of the founders of Beat the Streets New York City wrestling program.
In addition, the Hall will honor two recipients with the Outstanding American Award in 2012:
- Chris Bevilacqua, a two-time All-American for Penn State, is the founder and CEO of Bevilacqua Media Company, whose mission is to be a principal investor and strategic advisor for media and entertainment assets. (Chris is the son of Al Bevilacqua.)
- Andrew Barth, a member of the varsity wrestling team at Columbia University from 1979-1983, is now chairman of the Capital Guardian Trust Company. In 2005, Barth made a gift to fully endow the head wrestling coaches’ position at Columbia.
These individuals — along with Class of 2012 Distinguished Members Fred Fozzard, Stephen Neal, Greg Strobel, and the late Chris Taylor — will be honored at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame June 1-2, 2012.
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