Takedown Report

Induction Ceremonies for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
Johnny Brown · Charlie Jenkins · Harold Smith
Bryan Tutterrow · Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton
David Siler · Jeff Queen

(above David Rothwell & Johnny Brown)
Johnny Brown – Johnny Brown, a native of Salisbury, is a 1970 graduate of East Rowan High School. Brown was a standout high school athlete who wrestled, played football, and baseball. During his high school career, he wrestled for three years, earning team MVP honors. He capped off his senior wrestling season with a fourth-place finish in the WNCHSAA state tournament at 145 pounds. He also was the co-captain of East Rowan’s undefeated WNCHSAA state championship football team and a member of two teams that captured WNCHSAA state baseball championships.

Following high school, Brown attended Western Carolina University, where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in health and physical education. While in college, he began what would become a 30-year wrestling officiating career, starting in 1973 by calling middle school matches. From 1973 to 2003, Brown was one of North Carolina’s most respected wrestling officials, working 15 sectional tournaments, five NCHSAA state tournaments, and three NCHSAA dual team finals. Brown also officiated football for 50 years, calling his final game in 2025. His football officiating career included the 1992 state championship game and the 2004 East-West All-Star game. In addition, Brown also spent a decade officiating baseball.

In addition to his officiating accomplishments, Brown made a lasting impact as a football, wrestling, and track coach. From 1974 to 1986, he founded the wrestling program and served as head wrestling coach at Corriher-Lipe Junior High School, where his 1986 team completed an undefeated season and captured the conference tournament championship. He also started the wrestling program at North Rowan Middle School in 1988 and coached wrestling at East Rowan High School for two seasons.

National Wrestling Hall of Fame website.  https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame 

May 26, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | history, sports