Legendary HBCU wrestlers inducted into Hall of Fame

John Davis and William Smith, two iconic HBCU wrestlers from Morgan State, will be inducted into the Jim Koch Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class. This accolade honors their extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in Division II wrestling.

The ceremony will be held on July 26 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, during the 2024 NWCA Convention. Alongside Davis and Smith, inductees include Donovan McMahill, Matt Meuleners, Mario Morgan, Josh Shields, and Roger Singleton.

Competing in the early 1980s at Morgan State University, John Davis earned four All-American honors as a 158-pounder. He clinched national championships in 1983 and 1984, and placed sixth and third in 1981 and 1982, respectively. In 1984, Davis not only won his second national title but also received the Most Outstanding Wrestler award at the DII National Championships. His impressive performance included two pins on his way to the title, showcasing his dominance on the mat.

William Smith’s collegiate career began with runner-up finishes at the 1977 and 1978 NCAA Division II National Championships at 158 pounds, and a fifth-place finish at 167 pounds in 1979. In 1980, he became the first wrestler from a Historically Black College or University to win the NCAA Division II 158-pound championship. Smith was also a two-time NCAA DI All-American and a four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champion. His accolades include inductions into the MEAC Hall of Fame (1999), the New York Section One Wrestling Hall of Fame (2008), and the Morgan State Hall of Fame (2016).

In 2023, Morgan State made a historic comeback to wrestling, competing at the NCAA Division I Varsity level for the first time in 25 years. This reinstatement made Morgan State the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to offer wrestling at this level.

For more information, visit the official NWCA Convention website .

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