Wrestling announcer, author and historian Bob Allen has been selected for induction to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Newberg resident will be inducted on Oct. 12 into the Stillwater, Oklahoma, headquarters of the hall of fame. Allen was selected for his lifetime service to the sport.
Allen was named a finalist for national wrestling writer of the year on two separate occasions for his coverage on the sport during his time at the OSU Daily Barometer and the Albany Democrat-Herald. He was known as the "voice of the Beavers" due to his additional public address work at Gill Coliseum from 1968 through 1981.
That work ranged from the high school state tournament, the 1977 East-West collegiate classic, the 1980 NCAA championships and the 1982 NAIA national championships.
Allen's contributions heavily involved behind-the-scenes work as well. He arranged charter flights for teams and fans to the NCAA championships for the University of Oregon, Oregon State and Portland State throughout the 1970s.
In the early 2000s, Allen's efforts continued, serving on a Blue Ribbon committee of former Oregon State wrestlers and administrators that assisted in raising $2 million for the OSU wrestling endowment fund. It was during this time he became a board member of the Oregon chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, a position he holds to this day.
In 2017, Allen wrote "55 Years of Excellence," a 350-page book that details the milestones of Oregon wrestlers from the high school level through collegiate competitions and into international achievements. The book features a wide net of perspectives, including competitors, coaches, referees and fans.
Allen's induction will take place at the Embassy Suites in Tigard. Tickets are available on-line through TicketLeap.
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