NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME

West Virginia State Chapter

Board of Directors
President: Bill Archer
Vice Presidents: Garry Bender, Roy Michael
Treasurers: Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Bennett         
Secretary: Diane Archer

Board of Directors
George Keeney, Chairman
Dr. William Welker
Roy Michael
Dr. Tim Miller


2013 Inductees

(Additional feature AT THIS LINK)


Frank Ferguson (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Frank Ferguson -- "Medal of Courage"

Frank Ferguson's dedication to Ohio Valley wrestling is nonpareil. He is a 1972 graduate of Barnesville (Ohio) High School and earned his Bachelor's degree in 1978 from West Liberty State College (now WLU).

Ferguson wrestled for the Barnesville High School "Shamrocks" from 1970 to 1972. His senior year as a wrestler, Frank Ferguson won an Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) championship at the 167 pound weight class. No only did Ferguson captain his wrestling squad as a senior, but he also received the school's "Sportsmanship Award," which was voted on by the coaches of all sports at Barnesville High School.

While matriculating at West Liberty University, Frank Ferguson wrestled for the "Hilltoppers" his freshman year. Then the unthinkable happened. Due to a freak bicycle accident, Ferguson was paralyzed from the waist down. After a long period of rehabilitation, Frank Ferguson returned to WLU and graduated with a degree in science.

Ferguson began teaching at Brooke High School in 1978l, where he still teaches physics and chemistry classes. He went on to earn a Mater's Degree in science education and in 2005, Ferguson was named the "Brooke County Teacher of the Year."

During his teaching tenure, Ferguson never forgot the sport he loves - wrestling. Over the years, Frank has assisted in directing the long-standing Brooke Classic Wrestling Tournament. He has also served as a head mat scorekeeper at the prestigious OVAC Tournament for many years, love for the students he taught for over three decades.

Frank Ferguson and his wife Peggy enjoy traveling and caring for their two dogs.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Frank Ferguson with the "Medal of Courage" award, class of 2013.





Mike Caruso (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Mike Caruso -- "Outstanding West Virginian"

A grand success in the healthcare world, Mike Caruso is presently the President and CEO of the Ohio Valley Hospital and Education Corporation (OVHS&E). Matthew Thomas, chairman of the OVHS&E board of directors has stated, "Mike Caruso's unwavering loyalty to our organization and employees as well as the communities we serve makes him an ideal choice to lead the OVHS&E team.

Mike Caruso wrestled for Linsly Military Institute High school from 1972 through 1976 and was coached by Head Coach William Skillcorn and Assistant Coach Paul Lemery. He comes from a family of wrestlers with three brothers, Tom, Stan and Paul who also wrestled at Linsly.

Mike was an OVAC Champion, wrestled overseas representing West Virginia, and wrestled briefly in college at Clarion University and then transferred to Marshall University where he became involved in coaching wrestling at Huntington High School as an Assistant Coach for Coach Bill Archer.

Like all wrestling families he attributes so many character building traits and life lessons learned to the sport of wrestling and to the people that guided him along the way.

He resides in Wheeling with his wife Cheryl, and they have three children, Michael, Stephanie, and Claire.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Mike Caruso with the "Outstanding West Virginian" award, class of 2013.



John Holliday (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.



John Holliday -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

John Holliday began wrestling in Virginia in the Washington, D.C., area where he grew up. Moving to southern West Virginia his sophomore year in high school he graduated from Greenbrier East High School in 1976. He then attended Concord College and West Liberty State College, graduating with a B.A. degree in Education in 1981. While at West Liberty he competed and lettered in the sports of cross country, wrestling, and track and field, gaining valuable knowledge to use as a coach in all of those sports.

Starting at Pine Grove Valley High School in Wetzel County, he began a thirty-three year career in coaching and officiating wrestling, as well as other sports. In his years as coach at Valley, Magnolia, and Paden City High Schools he brought his many experiences to the youth of Wetzel County. These experiences included: the first and only state placers for Valley High school in wrestling, including state finalist Pete Shaw; the last state champion in wrestling for Magnolia High School in Greg Funari . In addition, he took part in three team Region 1 A-AA and three State Championships in girls' track and field at Magnolia,. During this time period he also developed a Region 1 A-AA Championship in boys track at Paden City High School. He then spent seventeen years officiating wrestling at the high school and collegiate levels.

Returning to coaching wrestling in 2005, he started the first middle school program in Wetzel County history at New Martinsville Middle School while laying the ground work for the Eagle Wrestling Club. For eight years his squads developed wrestlers to compete in the Mason Dixon and Ohio Valley Conferences. The 2013 squad garnered a fourth place finish at the giant Ohio Valley Championships. During this time he also took over the reins of the boys and girls cross country programs at Magnolia, qualifying the boys' team to the first state championships in many years by virtue of the Region 1 A-AA runner-up and a state top six finish.

John is presently the K-8 Counselor at New Martinsville School and has earned three Master's degrees from West Virginia University.

John and his lovely wife Sonya have two daughters together, Shaela Grace and Alina Summer. Their family includes John's daughter Amy Ann Holliday, a teacher at Lincoln High School in Harrison County, and Sonya's son Josh Bartrug. John's hobbies include farming, running, watching wrestling competitions whenever possible, and spending time with his daughters.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors John "Doc" Holliday with the "Lifetime of Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2013.


Terry Kendall (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Terry Kendall -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Terry Kendall was a 1980 graduate of Spencer High School. While attending Spencer High he played football, baseball, ran track and wrestled for wrestling icons and HOF members, Tom Woods and Garry Bender. He is a two-time West Virginia State Champ at 185 in 1979 and 1980. He earned a B.A. in Education from Glenville State College in 1984. While there, Terry was a four year starter in football and was the 1985 recipient of the Frank Montrose Award, given to most outstanding male athlete. Later he earned his Master's Degree from West Virginia University.

After graduation, Terry returned to Spencer and began his teaching and coaching career at Spencer High School. He joined Garry Bender, Jim Hamric and the late Rick Hubbard serving as an assistant coach in wrestling, football and baseball. Coach Kendall also served as the Head Baseball Coach for two seasons.

In 1989, Terry left Spencer for Oakland, MD where he became the Head Wrestling Coach at Southern Garrett High School. While at SGHS he rejoined Tom Woods, serving as an assistant football coach. Although his teams st Southern Garrett always struggled with numbers, those individual team members he had were outstanding. He had numerous Regional Finalists and state qualifiers and remained coach for 4 seasons.

In 1993, Terry returned home to Spencer. Upon returning, he helped establish the first middle school wrestling program at Spencer Middle School and coached for 2 seasons. Then in 1997, he rejoined Garry Bender at Roane County High School as assistant coach until each retired as coaches after the 2007 season. While at Roane County High School, Terry served as an assistant baseball coach for 4 seasons. He now teaches in Roane County at Spencer Elementary School.

Terry and his wife, Deana have four children, Erin, 27 liven in Winfield, Evan 25 lives in Charleston, Skylar 15 and Sinjun 10 at home.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Terry Kendall with the "Lifetime of Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2013.



Bruce Niday (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Bruce Niday -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

A 1982 graduate of Huntington High School, Bruce Niday wrestled and played football for the Pony Express for three years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983-85 in an infantry Ranger Unit where he was an honor graduate and received numerous awards. In 1990, Bruce graduated from Marshall University with a B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts.

For 25 years, he worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) holding progressively more responsible management positions. While at the BOP, Bruce received numerous awards and was on the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) for ten years. For fourteen years, he was also a substitute teacher at the high school level.

Bruce started the wrestling program at Vinson High School in 1991 until 1998 where he had the first state champion and numerous state placers. Due to consolidation in 1998, he coached at the new Spring Valley High School until retirement in 2013 with more state place winners. His team's GPA was always over 3.0 and most wrestlers were on the honor roll. Bruce also worked several wrestling camps and directed several tournaments. Outside of wrestling, he was President of Vinson Football League for 8 years, coached youth football for 10 years and middle school football for 3 years.

Bruce and his wife, Teresa married for 26 years are the parents of three sons, Joey, Nicco, and Dane. He had the privilege of coaching all three of his sons who were All-State Wrestlers.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Bruce Niday with the "Lifetime of Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2013.


Burton Rodgers (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.


Burton Rodgers -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Burton Mack Rodgers wrestling career began at DuPont High School (class of 1961) under the coaching of J.D. Kidd. Burton weighed only 175 lbs, was undefeated and West Virginia State Champion in 1961 at the unlimited weight class.

Burton attended Virginia Tech (class of 1965) where he went undefeated as a Freshman heavyweight and was a three year starter for the Hokies at center and linebacker for Coach Jerry Claiborne.

A 32 year veteran wrestling official, Burton officiated at the small fry, Jr. High, high school and collegiate level with his first State tournament in 1971 and his last in 1990. He was instrumental in the organization of the Belpre youth wrestling program , coached youth football and officiated football at the pee wee, Jr. High and high school level for 10 years.

Burton retired in 1993 from RJ Reynolds and resides in Belpre, Ohio. He is a charter member of the DuPont High School Hall of Fame, member of Ohio High School Wrestling Hall of Fame, 45 year member of the Salina Masonic Lodge #27 and Mullen Memorial Baptist Church were he served as BYF leader, Sunday School Class President, Church Treasurer and ordained a Baptist Deacon. Governor Ray Blanton commissioned Burton a Tennessee Colonel in 1977..

Burton and his wife Paula, married for 47 years, have been blessed with two daughters, Adria Lynnn Carter and Shanna Rodgers. They have three grandsons Braxton Carter, Paden Mack Carter, and Lohan Sutton.

The National Wrestling Hall of fame honors Burton Rodgers with a "Lifetime of Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2013.


Nolan Van Gilder (left) receives his award from Mike Clair, State Chapter Executive Director, National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Nolan Van Gilder -- "Lifetime Service to Wrestling"

Coach Van Gilder's love of the mat sport was unprecedented. Van Gilder started coaching in 1967 and was the head wrestling coach at Brooke High School (1989 - 1997), where he produced five state champions and three OVAC titlists.

Van Gilder directed numerous West Virginia AAA Regional championships and OVAC Freshman and JV tournament at the school. He has also been instrumental behind the scenes at the OVAC Wrestling Championships in his position as head scorekeeper for years.

As the mechanical drawing instructor at Brooke, Van Gilder also created the various name and pass tags, forms and bout sheets at the OVAC tournament. He also designed the wrestling wall of fame at the Brooke High School wrestling room.

Coach Van Gilder is not only a master of the mat sport but also a master teacher and coach in various sports. His expertise in athletics also involved coaching tennis for 25 years, and Nolan served as assistant golf coach for 15 years at Brooke High School

He is not only totally dedicated to developing students into competitive athletes, but also boys and girls into young men and women who will be successful in the adult world. A retired teacher with 35 years of wrestling service, Van Gilder always enjoyed education because of his love for the students he taught for over three decades.

Nolan Van gilder and his wife Shirley are the parents of two sons; Donald Nolan and Doug. They also have four grandchildren.

The National Wrestling Hall of fame honors Nolan Van Gilder with a "Lifetime of Service to Wrestling" award, class of 2013.


2013 Induction Ceremony Feature


Hall of Fame Main Page

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