Etched In Stone Podcast featuring World Champion, Distinguished Member Lloyd “Butch” Keaser launches Thursday
by Jack Carnefix, National Wrestling Hall of Fame
STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and USA Wrestling are excited to announce that their “Etched In Stone - Stories of Wrestling Legends” podcast featuring World Champion, Olympic silver medalist and Distinguished Member Lloyd “Butch” Keaser will launch on Thursday at etchedinstonepodcast.com.
Presented by the United States Marines, the three-episode series is narrated by Hall of Fame wrestling writer, broadcaster and announcer Jason Bryant who produced it in conjunction with award-winning journalist and WIN Magazine editor Mike Finn, who conducted extensive interviews with Keaser and others who have been a part of his journey. Episodes II and III will be released in the coming weeks.
Growing up in poverty during desegregation in a Baltimore suburb, Keaser became a two-time All-American at the United States Naval Academy and made history in 1973 when he became the first Black wrestler to win a World Championship gold medal. He added a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics while also capturing a bronze and a silver medal at the legendary Tbilisi tournament. After rising to the rank of captain, he retired from the Marines Corps and became a successful business leader for IBM.
“While on active duty as a Marine, Mr. Keaser represented not only his service, but our nation,” said Capt James Bigger, National Partnerships Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “As a wrestler on the international stage, he displayed the perseverance and discipline expected of all United States Marines. We are honored to be able to recognize his accomplishments.”
“Lloyd Keaser has never been one to draw attention to himself, so his story often gets overlooked by wrestling fans,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Lloyd’s story is important to our sport and can provide inspiration to all who aspire to greatness, demonstrating that success can be achieved despite your background. Lloyd not only excelled on the mat, but used his wrestling ability to create an opportunity for higher education and success beyond the mat.”
In addition to etchedinstonepodcast.com, Episode I will be available Thursday through Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. Finn also wrote and designed a digital storybook that can be read by CLICKING HERE.
The three podcasts also include Olympic and World Champion Jordan Burroughs, fellow Distinguished Member and Olympic and World Champion Dan Gable, wife Cate Keaser, brother Michael Keaser, sister Deborah Keaser, Russian rival and Olympic and World Champion Pavel Pinigin, high school coach Dick Purdy, and Navy wrestling teammate Tommy Schuler.
Podcasts featuring Distinguished Members Mark Churella, John Smith and Pat Smith are also available. The Hall of Fame and USA Wrestling are developing future EIS podcasts on Distinguished Members, including Gable and Lee Kemp.
The brainchild of 1976 NCAA wrestling champion Pat Christenson, the EIS podcast series features legendary wrestlers discussing the trials and tribulations they encountered on the way to becoming one of wrestling’s best. Podcasts provide additional insight on the legend through interviews with competitors, coaches, teammates and others who were part of the journey. The podcasts are made by former wrestlers and wrestling insiders, who utilize their knowledge and unique perspective to extract the stories that fans want to hear.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.
Presented by the United States Marines, the three-episode series is narrated by Hall of Fame wrestling writer, broadcaster and announcer Jason Bryant who produced it in conjunction with award-winning journalist and WIN Magazine editor Mike Finn, who conducted extensive interviews with Keaser and others who have been a part of his journey. Episodes II and III will be released in the coming weeks.
Growing up in poverty during desegregation in a Baltimore suburb, Keaser became a two-time All-American at the United States Naval Academy and made history in 1973 when he became the first Black wrestler to win a World Championship gold medal. He added a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics while also capturing a bronze and a silver medal at the legendary Tbilisi tournament. After rising to the rank of captain, he retired from the Marines Corps and became a successful business leader for IBM.
“While on active duty as a Marine, Mr. Keaser represented not only his service, but our nation,” said Capt James Bigger, National Partnerships Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “As a wrestler on the international stage, he displayed the perseverance and discipline expected of all United States Marines. We are honored to be able to recognize his accomplishments.”
“Lloyd Keaser has never been one to draw attention to himself, so his story often gets overlooked by wrestling fans,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Lloyd’s story is important to our sport and can provide inspiration to all who aspire to greatness, demonstrating that success can be achieved despite your background. Lloyd not only excelled on the mat, but used his wrestling ability to create an opportunity for higher education and success beyond the mat.”
In addition to etchedinstonepodcast.com, Episode I will be available Thursday through Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. Finn also wrote and designed a digital storybook that can be read by CLICKING HERE.
The three podcasts also include Olympic and World Champion Jordan Burroughs, fellow Distinguished Member and Olympic and World Champion Dan Gable, wife Cate Keaser, brother Michael Keaser, sister Deborah Keaser, Russian rival and Olympic and World Champion Pavel Pinigin, high school coach Dick Purdy, and Navy wrestling teammate Tommy Schuler.
Podcasts featuring Distinguished Members Mark Churella, John Smith and Pat Smith are also available. The Hall of Fame and USA Wrestling are developing future EIS podcasts on Distinguished Members, including Gable and Lee Kemp.
The brainchild of 1976 NCAA wrestling champion Pat Christenson, the EIS podcast series features legendary wrestlers discussing the trials and tribulations they encountered on the way to becoming one of wrestling’s best. Podcasts provide additional insight on the legend through interviews with competitors, coaches, teammates and others who were part of the journey. The podcasts are made by former wrestlers and wrestling insiders, who utilize their knowledge and unique perspective to extract the stories that fans want to hear.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport. For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.
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