Russ Smith

June 14, 1924 – February 25, 2009

Russ Smith was the first person ever inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame who did not participate directly as either a wrestler or a coach. His qualifications stemmed instead from the extraordinary impact he had on the sport of wrestling through his work as a dedicated sportswriter and editor of the Waterloo Courier, a position he held with distinction for an impressive 47 years.

A lifelong resident of Waterloo, Iowa, Russ began honing his journalistic skills early on as a student reporter for East High School’s newspaper, The Orange and Black. This early passion for storytelling and sports laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable career in sports journalism. Throughout nearly five decades at the Courier, Russ championed the sport of wrestling at every level, from local high school meets to international competitions, bringing unparalleled visibility and respect to the athletes and coaches he covered.

During his illustrious career, Russ attended 36 Iowa State High School Wrestling Tournaments and covered 30 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most knowledgeable and committed journalists. His expertise and dedication also took him to the world stage, where he reported on three Olympic Games: the 1968 Games in Mexico City, the 1972 Games in Munich, Germany, and the 1976 Games in Montreal, Canada. His reporting from these events helped bring global wrestling achievements back to Iowa readers and added depth and perspective to the sport’s coverage.

In recognition of his excellence, Russ was the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Bob Dellinger Award, presented annually by the Oklahoma-based Amateur Wrestling News to honor the nation’s top wrestling writer. This honor underscored his standing as a pioneer in wrestling journalism, whose insightful articles and columns elevated the sport’s profile across the state and the country.

Russ’s influence extended far beyond the printed page. He was instrumental in the founding of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Foundation in 1970, helping to organize the institution that would go on to honor the state’s wrestling greats. As chairman of the selection committee from the very beginning, he played a central role in recognizing and preserving the legacy of Iowa’s most accomplished wrestlers and coaches. Under his leadership, more than 40 deserving individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame, a testament to both his discerning eye and unwavering commitment to the sport.

A legend among sportswriters, Russ Smith earned widespread respect not only for his journalistic talents but also for his encyclopedic knowledge of wrestling. He was universally regarded as one of the country’s foremost authorities on the sport, a man whose words shaped public appreciation for wrestling and whose efforts ensured its rich traditions would be celebrated for generations to come.

Russ was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989 with Finn B. Eriksen.

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