John Smith

John Smith was unable to attend the ceremony, but he was well represented by 2023 AAU HOF Inductee and former Oklahoma State teammate Tom “Big Cat” Erickson. Tom, an assistant wrestling coach at Duke University praised the officials for their consistency on the mat this week. He also spoke fondly of John having been awarded the “Master of Technique” Award at the 1991 World and 1992 Olympic Championships.

John Smith is a folkstyle and freestyle wrestler and coach. Smith was a two-time NCAA Div.1 national champion, and a six time consecutive winner with two Olympic Championships and four World Wrestling Championships. At the end of his competitive career, Smith had won more World and Olympic gold medals in wrestling than any other American. Smith was widely known for his low single leg takedown and is considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time. Smith wrestled at Del City High School in Del City Oklahoma. While in high school Smith had a 105–5 record and was a two-time Oklahoma state champion.

Smith competed at Oklahoma State University, Smith's college career record was 154-7-2. At the NCAA Division 1 Wrestling Championships, Smith was a three-time national finalist and a two-time national champion. After losing in the 1985 finals to future US House representative Jim Jordan, he finished his college career with 90 consecutive victories.

Beginning in his teenage years, Smith competed internationally in freestyle wrestling. Highlights of his career include four UWW World gold medals, and two Olympic gold medals. At the Senior level, his international freestyle wrestling record was 100–5. He is the only American wrestler to ever win six consecutive World and Olympic championships as a competitor. 

Smith became the head wrestling coach at Oklahoma State University in 1991. During his tenure, Oklahoma State University won five national team titles, with titles coming in 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. As of 2022, his overall dual meet record was 490-73-6. He had also coached 33  individual national champions and coached his wrestlers to 152 All-American honors. Smith has brought 21 team conference titles and 129 individual conference championships to Stillwater as a coach, as well. John recently announced his retirement and departure from OSU. 

In 1990 John was the first wrestler to be awarded the Amateur Athletic Union’s James E. Sullivan Award.

 Kenny Watkins

Kenneth Watkins began wrestling at Argo Community High School and Proviso East before joining the US Army from 1979 – 1987. He served for 8 years and obtained the rank of Sergeant as a Calibration Technician (35H) and Electronic Instrument Repairman (35B) and was in a select group of trained operators of the White Sands Missile Range Solar Furnace. He competed in open wrestling tournaments during his military career which included tours of duty at White Sands Missile Range (New Mexico), Ft Wainwright (Alaska) and Seoul Korea.

During his Army career, Ken followed Illinois wrestling by having his mom send him clips from the local newspapers. After returning home, he continued to follow wrestling and went to many state post season tournaments. His love of the sport found him at West Leyden High School where he watched the Dual Team State Championships. During a break he spoke with one of the officials and inquired how he could become an official. After the conversation and a television news report on the lack of officials for high school sports he obtained his officials license in 1993.

He has officiated for 30 years and since obtaining his official’s license Ken’s passion for the sport of wrestling has led him on a path whereby he has officiated many High School State and National tournaments. Some of his officiating accomplishments include IHSA Individual State Championships (8x), IHSA Dual Team State Championships (8x), IKWF Individual State Championships (8x), IKWF Kids Open (8x), IKWF Dual Team State Championships (4x), IESA Individual State Championships (5x), Hinsdale Central Rex Whitlatch Tournament, Dvorak Tournament, Barrington Moore-Prettyman Tournament, AAU Disney Duals (20x), Ohio Tournament of Champions (15x), NHSCA Senior/High School Nationals (12x), NHSCA Duals (2x), Beast of the East (7x), Reno Tournament of Champions (2x), Rocky Mountain Nationals, Reno World of Wrestling (12x), AAU Illinois Frosh/Soph State Championships (2x), AAU World Folk style Championships (8x), The Clash, AAU Middle School Duals (3x), USA Middle School Duals (6x), USA Winter Nationals (2x), AAU Brute Scholastic Showcase (2x), Dixie Duals, Super 32 (5x), Tulsa Nationals, Black Hills Nationals (4x), CPS Championships (7x), Chicago Beat the Streets (3x), NHSCA Pre- season Open (3x), Grappler Fall Classic Michigan State University (2x), Border Wars, IWCOA Midwest Nationals (8x) and many other local, national and state series meets and Tournaments.

Ken’s service to wrestling includes Certified Wrestling Official (State of Illinois), Illinois AAU officials Rep (15 yrs), TOC Illinois Official’s Rep (15 yrs), AAU Core Official (15 yrs), IKWF West Chicago Sectional Official’s Chairman, AAU Middle School Duals Head official (2X), AAU Outstanding Folk Style Official of the year (2003), Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) Hall of Fame (2016), IHSA Wrestling Officials Clinician (5years), Illinois Wrestling Official of the Year (2023), Illinois Officials Advisory committee member (current term).

Ken currently resides in Maywood, IL with his wife (Marcella) and his children (Xavier 27 and Mickayla 22).