Randy Steward inducted into wrestling HOF
After eight years of unprecedented success at Sonoraville High School that includes three GHSA traditional state titles, former Phoenix head wrestling coach Randy Steward was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Oklahoma as part of the official class of Georgia 2024 inductees.
In all, eight men from Georgia were inducted last Sunday at the Venue at Friendship Springs in Flowery Branch and Steward was one of them.
“It was a special day,” said Steward, who had a lot of friends there to watch his presentation. “(I) had approximately 60 in attendance to support my induction. From California, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Kansas, Georgia.
“The travelers included high school classmates, coaching staff members, former/current wrestlers, former/ current parents of wrestlers, one current Sonoraville fellow staff member, and immediate family. (I am) grateful and humbled (to be a member of the National Hall of Fame).”
Steward lives in Plainsville and is currently in his 41st year of service to the sport of wrestling. Before getting the job at Sonoraville, he was a head coach/assistant professor at the college level in Iowa for 25 years.
He spent two years at Ellsworth Community College and then 23 years at Loras College, where he coached six NCAA Division 3 champions and 56 D3 All-American
Steward said the induction ceremonies and the treatment the inductees receive from the Georgia chapter is second to none.
“HOF inductees are honored in first class fashion,” he said. “A friend of mine from the Dan Gable (wrestling) Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, he attended to help present awards and told me Georgia is the best Hall of Fame event the country.
Included in the induction is a recorded video interview, introduction to the crowd of 400 people, and a short speech. Inductees are given an amazing plaque, a piece of wrestling mat with the inductee’s picture on it and a HOF green jacket.
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