The National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Iowa Chapter, held their formal induction ceremony at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines in October, where they inducted a former Clarion graduate, John Johnson. Johnson was recommended for induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for his lifetime of service to the sport of wrestling. NWHOF Executive Director, LeRoy Smith, announced in July, that Johnnie had been selected for the NWHOF "Life Time Service to Wrestling" award.
Smith stated, “The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Iowa Chapter welcomes John as a member of the Class of 2023. The award acknowledges that your life has been significant and you are leaving behind a legacy that others admire. You have a special place in the heritage of the sport and your legacy is going to be recognized at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.”
Smith continued, ”John, you are leaving your family, friends and wrestling fans a valuable asset… a respectable name and reputation for serving a sport that we all consider worthy of passing on to future generations. We appreciate all you have done for your community and the sport.” John received the “Lifetime Service Award” for his many contributions to the sport as a coach, writer, photographer, official, and broadcaster.
He was a five-time national photographer of the year, and has been previously inducted twice into the Iowa Central Community College Hall of Fame as an individual and team member, and is a member of the National Junior College Wrestling Hall of Fame. Johnson was inducted into the NWHOF Iowa Chapter during the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association and National Wrestling Hall of Fame luncheon on October 21st. John resides in Winthrop, Iowa, with his wife Lois. He is the son of the late Jimmie and Colleen Johnson of Clarion.
