August 28, 2024 • 23 mins
The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Logan Stieber.
Tribute speakers: Helen Stieber and Hunter Stieber. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.
Recorded June 2024.
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Tribute speakers: Helen Stieber and Hunter Stieber. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.
Recorded June 2024.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW
Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify | Android | RSS
Contribute
And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
From the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This is Legends.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Is Legends. I'm Jason Bryant.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Prepare for a journey through wrestling's past, present, and future.
As we'll hear are the great stories of wrestling and
success from the true legends.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Of the sport. Here on Hall of Fame Legends.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
So, without any more ado, let's go ahead and get started.
I might say that we hope everyone enjoyed the meal,
and now it's time for the program to begin. This
is another opportunity for us to learn more about this
special group of individuals who we are honoring this weekend.
We're going to hear from those who know them the best,
and that's their family and their friends. Each of the
(00:55):
speakers will be allowed to talk for five minutes. Unfortunately,
there will be no injury timeouts and we don't have
any time for overtimes. Our final distinguished member is Logan Steber.
First to speak about Logan is his wife Helen.
Speaker 5 (01:17):
Hi, everyone again, my name is Helen, and I stand
before you today to celebrate the achievements of an extraordinary
athlete and more importantly, my husband, Logan Steeber. In the
world of sports, greatness is often defined by records and achievements,
but behind every great athlete is a story of sacrifice
(01:38):
and unwavering determination. Today, I'm honored to share a glimpse
of the story and character of the remarkable man sitting.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Right over there.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
I first met Logan at the beginning of his senior
year at the Ohio State University, where I was a
junior on the track and cross country team. I didn't
know much about him other than that he was a wrestler,
and on our first date, he really didn't talk about
himself at all. Later that night, I googled him and
a million search results and videos came up. One that
(02:11):
stood out was coach Tom Ryan stating that Logan could
do a pull up with just one finger on each hand.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
On our next date, I had a lot of questions.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
Needless to say, I immediately fell in love, not because
of his athletic achievements, but because he was the kindest
and most humble person I had ever met. From twenty
fourteen on, I've witnessed all of the highs and the lows,
but no matter what, Logan always kept a positive mindset.
His passion for the sport has been nothing short of contagious.
(02:42):
I've watched him pour his heart and soul into every practice,
overcome countless obstacles, and rise above adversity. For all the
days he spent cutting weight on the treadmill and in
the sauna, and for all the nights he'd keep me
awake by chewing on ice cubes in bed.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
He would do it all with a smile.
Speaker 5 (03:01):
But beyond his athletic achievements, it's really his kindness and
humility that sets him apart. Logan is actually the most
kind person I know. He makes a positive impact on
everyone he meets. When Logan ran a youth wrestling club,
there were kids ages five to eighteen, and sometimes there'd
be a kid who is too afraid to practice.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
So Logan would come over and crouch down.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
To their level and say, Hey, do you want to
be my co coach for the day. You don't have
to wrestle, you just have to help me, and he
would give them a whistle. So the whole practice they
would walk around with Logan coaching, and after that they
would always want to come back to the next practice
and wrestle because he had given them the confidence. Logan
is also the most humble and modest person I know
(03:47):
he never talks about himself or his achievements, and he
actually told me not to mention any of his athletic
achievements in my speech.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
In victory, he was always quick.
Speaker 5 (03:58):
To acknowledge the role that others played in his success
and in defeat, he was always gracious and showed respect
for his opponents, including Coleman. Whenever he did lose, he
only ever blamed himself. In the ten years I've known Logan,
I've never once seen him get mad, yell, or lose
his patience. He genuinely celebrates the successes of others without
(04:22):
jealousy or resentment. He loves lifting people up, and he
truly has no ego about him, and I can say
that his character really does exemplify true sportsmanship. So as
we honor his achievements, let us not only celebrate the
medals won, but celebrate the man behind the athlete, a
man who has not only conquered the world of wrestling,
(04:45):
but who also captured the hearts of all who have
had the privilege of knowing him. So here's to you, Logan,
the greatest wrestler in person I know, and the most
incredible husband I could ever ask for. Thank you for
being a shining I in my life and also in
the world of wrestling. Thank you, Thank you, Helen.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
We will now hear more about Logan from his brother Hunter.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
Hey, thanks for having me. So everyone up there, congrats
all them. They're all to be up there.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
You gotta be special, you gotta be different.
Speaker 6 (05:43):
So figure out to his story. But when I first
knew that Logan, LOGI was different. So our father over there,
he was the coach of our our little pot of kids.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
He didn't know anything our wrestling.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
He worked construction, so I knew was hard work. So
he put on a hard practice, so hard and popular
that kids from all over would come in from the state,
from other states would come in. Practices are probably a
little too too insane for six to ten year olds,
but we went through it, and at least once to practice,
(06:18):
someone left crying.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So me and a couple of the other kids came
up with the.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
Theory that my dad and the other parents would pick
a kid and that they would have the worst practice
of their life and they were going to come home crying.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
It's kind of right. We called it the victim of
the day.
Speaker 6 (06:37):
So when I was eight, I hurt my wrists or
hand in football, so I got to sit out for
like a week. It's the bestification ever. So I'm watching practice.
I'm watching my brother and it's right away. It's three
man groups shark bait or man in the middle, and
he gets taken on right away, and I'm like, oh no,
my dad's on. I'm hard and I got Slogan's a
(06:59):
victim today. And after that he just rained down destruction
on the rest of the kids the rest of the practice,
and my dad was not easy on them. He had
fresh kids, he had the best groups. He said it
was a five minute go in the middle, but I'm
pretty sure it was eight, maybe seven.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
But that was my dad.
Speaker 6 (07:20):
So practicing for driving home and I'm like waiting, I'm like,
what's Logan gonna say. He's gonna say anything, he can complain,
but nothing, didn't say anything, just normal to him. The
next day goes on next practice, same thing I'm watching.
He doesn't give up a takedown, but my dad's down,
I'm hard. He has the freshest guys. Guys come in
and he's never gets a break. Everything's longer, everything's harder
(07:42):
for him. And again on the way home, doesn't complain
and I'm just waiting. I'm like, please be normal, like,
please be like me, like complain, but no, never complain.
But just what it was my dad saw something in
Logan before the rest of all everyone else, that he
was different.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
That he needed it, he needed to be pushed. And
that was.
Speaker 6 (08:02):
That was the week that I first became Logan's biggest fan.
And every day after that, from college or all the
way to college, he never complained cutting weight, never complained.
Just it's Logan. Hardest practices, hardest route, doesn't matter. That
that Slogan. So thank you for having me. Thank you
Logan for being my brother and showing me how to
(08:25):
be better in every way.
Speaker 7 (08:27):
Congrats, good evening, everyone, Welcome, Welcome to the twenty twenty
four Hall of Fame Induction of honorees. We're delighted to
(08:52):
have you here with us this weekend and this evening.
I'm happy now to bring to the podium the Chairman
of the Board of the Governors of the National Wrestling
Hall of Fame, Tom Slowey.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
Good evening, actually great evening on behalf of the Nasha
Wrestling Hall of Fame. Welcome to the forty seventh Honors Induction. Ceremony.
This evening's turnout is certainly a testimony through the exceptional
individuals we honor this evening, but also to the fantastic
and loyal support of our wrestling community. So thank you
(09:37):
for being here. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is
grateful you're with us to celebrate the class of twenty
twenty four inductees. This is a very special time as
we recognize and enshrine our sports very best and honor
their extraordinary achievements. The class of twenty twenty four inductees
(09:58):
our inspiration to us. Their life pass and accomplishments offer
positive guidance and examples to us all, and especially to
our country's youth and future leaders. The National Wrestling Hall
of Famer is privileged to host and celebrate honors weekend
with them. As we all know, wrestling teaches invaluable lessons.
(10:22):
It also instills positive traits that serve us well over
a lifetime. Determination, commitment, perseverance, persistence, and resilience, to name.
Speaker 9 (10:33):
Just a few.
Speaker 8 (10:35):
And so as we move forward.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
In life, we are well prepared to.
Speaker 8 (10:39):
Manage the challenges and opportunities that we want encounter with
purpose and excellence. And as leaders as an example for
others to follow.
Speaker 9 (10:52):
On.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Behalf of the Sponsors Volunteers, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Staff,
Board of Governors, Governors Associates. Thank you for sharing this
evening with us as we proudly celebrate the Class of
twenty twenty four.
Speaker 7 (11:08):
Thank you our final two thousand and twenty four distinguished member,
Logan Steber.
Speaker 9 (11:17):
In the United States is the best wrestling country in
the world.
Speaker 10 (11:29):
I met Logo when he was in grade school. Logan
used to come to Eric Burnett's training site, and we
call it the Barn, and I met him, you know,
like an Eric goes, he go over there and teach
them something. So I taught something some moves actually, and
(11:55):
after the tournament.
Speaker 9 (11:56):
You know, I said, did you use my moves? He
said yes.
Speaker 10 (12:00):
Referee stopped me because it was illegal, that big champion.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
At seventy eight pounds moving up a weight class.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Logan Steeper a seventh grader.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
He's twenty four and over this year.
Speaker 9 (12:11):
My mom and dad at the beginning were a huge factor,
and then they took us to the Burnettes. So Ron
Burnett just a huge factor in my early development. After
coach Ron Burnett, his son Eric Eric took me under
his wing and really trained me. Eric's brother, Scottie. I
(12:31):
was able to work out with him a lot in
high school. Along that same time coach Jordan, coach Jeff
Jordan from Saint Paris. Graham helped me tremendously. You know
my coaches in high school, Coach Scott Bauer and Glenn Bellamy,
the just great coaches that that they just they did
(12:54):
all the right things to keep me, uh, keep me focused.
You know when things got too crazy, you know, they
were able to keep me focused and keep me aligned
and then don't have to do a lot of technical
things for me. They just kept me in the right spot.
And then at Ohio State, you know coach Tom Ryan,
Luis Elli, coach Jay Jaggers, Ross Thatcher, coach Travelle Delaghnov
(13:19):
and all the people I've named, you know, countless of
their assistants that helped me. So just been really really lucky.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Four time Ohio High School State champion, two.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Time NCAA champion, three years reside.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Both of the fourteenth, four time Big ten champion heaver
in history.
Speaker 11 (13:37):
I got the job here in two thousand and six.
Logan was a sophomore. He was one of the best
sophomores I've ever seen. I watched him with the iron Man,
his aggression, his skill, and then of course, as I
learned more about Logan, I learned more about how core
centered he was, what his family was like, the importance
of family, the way he trained, the way he lived
(13:58):
his life, and he had all of the all of
the intangibles of being really a leade.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
He also won a lot.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
According to the NCAA, he's the most dominant wrestler in
NC Double A Division one.
Speaker 12 (14:11):
What was really interesting is how humble and modest he was.
I always knew we had, like in twenty fourteen, we
had like a really good wrestler that had won a
bunch of things, but I didn't know exactly who it was,
and I didn't know until I googled him after I
met him that that's who it was, because he said
nothing about how good he was at wrestling.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Weldon Steve or has the ton of legend a four
time champion, because I'm very proud.
Speaker 8 (14:39):
You know, I'm not surprised by any means.
Speaker 11 (14:42):
You know, he's a world champion, he's a four time
state champion, is four time national champion.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
There's no you know, it's well deserved.
Speaker 13 (14:48):
He and I were got pretty deep into running, like
right before COVID we were doing quite a bit of
running and you know, trying to get ready to gear
up to do some like like.
Speaker 9 (14:58):
A team Ultra marathon thing.
Speaker 13 (15:01):
And I remember we were having like I was having
people over my in law's house. As me and my
wife and kids are driving there, I see Logan on
the side of the road running and I'm like, that
dude lives far away, and He's like, I just wanted
to knock out a marathon this morning for no reason,
you know, thirty years old. Didn't really talk about it,
didn't tell me. I just happened to see it. That
(15:22):
that ability to do hard things, you know, like there's nothing,
there's nothing I don't think he could do if if
like he was challenged or if he was bet, you know,
like if he was bet to do, Hey, dude, knock
out one thousand ropes today, he'd be like.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
I could do that.
Speaker 13 (15:36):
And I believe he could, you know, because he's, uh,
he's just got an uncanny ability to push himself there
Allie have.
Speaker 11 (15:43):
With the front headlock, trying to check around the outside.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
And then Steve played with the times.
Speaker 11 (15:48):
We were talking about the floor, you think that Logan's
out of it when he's when he's heads down like that,
is that actually waiting for him to pick up some handles.
Speaker 9 (15:58):
Really, it's just a great feeling, you know, to to
walk out there knowing that if you're the guy representing
your country at the way class at the biggest event
in the world for your sport. And in twenty sixteen
I won the World Championships, so it was really cool
to to win and then run around the map with
the flag. Super cool. And then uh, you know when
(16:22):
you when you win the World Championships or the Olympics,
at the podium, you know, they get your ward and
they play national anthem so of your of the country,
which yeah, so really cool. It was a it was
a great moment. And when we were a kids, you know,
you start you start looking at all the things you
can do in the sport. You know, that's pretty much
the highest highest thing you can accomplish the World or
(16:45):
Olympic gold. So it's just, uh, it's a nice just
culmination of everything you've ever dreamed of.
Speaker 12 (16:55):
Logan being inducted into the Hall of Fame means a
lot to me because getting to watch him compete. I've
met so many people along the way that have like
become family to me now, like coaches and wives and
other USA Wrestling athletes, and now all the guys that
he coaches at Ohio State.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
We joke that they're like our children.
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Yes, I trained hard, but I have lots of good
people motivating me, lots of good training partners, my family
and my mom and dad, my brother, my coaches. It
was so it's cool. It's really, it's really, it's really
cool to win an award because you know, I think
it's obviously it's not just me winning awards. It's a
lot of people.
Speaker 11 (17:34):
It means so much to me in the program and
all the people that have lifted Logan along the way.
Logan is an amazing person. He's a great friend, he's
a great husband, he's a great son. I mean, just
one of the good guys, one of the best people
I've been around. I've tried for quite a while to
make him mad, and I can't do it. I can
(17:55):
no matter what I try to do.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
He stays steady and calm.
Speaker 11 (18:00):
So we're super proud of him.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
You know, we love him and he paid his dues,
He paid the price.
Speaker 11 (18:07):
He's someone that you know was in here in the
morning and back in the afternoon, and I know before
I ever got here, it was an intense it was
an intense way of life for Logan for many many years.
Speaker 9 (18:19):
This isn't you know.
Speaker 11 (18:20):
There's no magic dust here. This guy earned it and
we're proud of him.
Speaker 7 (18:33):
Distinguished member Logan Steamer, please come forward with your presenter,
your father, Jeff Steber.
Speaker 9 (19:04):
H Thank you, guys. Thank you to everybody in the
Hall of Fame committee, uh Lee Roy, Tom Jack and
and everybody else involved. Thank you to Scooter for making
such a great video and and and just really awesome
(19:28):
videos and and honies the whole night. I want to
thank my family for being here. Uh my my dad,
my mom, my my brother, his girlfriend, uh my wife.
I should have had her write my speech tonight, but
hopefully I can. I can do all right. The rest
of my family, my my Buckeye family, is in Geneva,
(19:52):
Ohio right now at a big tournament, but very uh
you know, very excited for them. I'm gonna spend and uh,
I'm gonna spend the whole whole time. And I really
is thinking, uh, my, my, my, my parents, my my
coaches throughout all levels really really helped me. I don't
(20:12):
have enough time to thank all them, but I really
wanted to spend the last couple of minutes here talking
about my mom and dad. I would say, uh, they
sacrificed all their time for us, but I think they
truly enjoyed it. They they gave everything, uh they had
to my brother and I. They gave their time, Uh,
they gave their money, and they gave their heart to us.
(20:37):
My brother spoke a little bit about, uh, the little
small practices we had back in the day, and if
you look in the Hall of Fame, there's a there's
a shirt that says Steepers Dogs. That was my dad's
little mini club that was outside of the real a
real club that showed us moves. My dad's never really
showed us any moves, but he did a good job
of training us really really hard. And uh, you know,
(21:00):
not all the parents could really endure watching the practices.
But I think I don't know if we had a
lot of fun, but we had a lot of fun afterwards,
and it's always fun to win.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Sorry, I lost my place here as a child, my.
Speaker 9 (21:21):
Brother and I. We went on lots of trips. Two
of them were for fun of the course of maybe
fifteen years. The rest of them were for wrestling in
popular places like Pittsburgh, Topeka, Kansas, Rino, Nevada, and of
course tas Oklahoma. And we drove the Tulsa and as
someone who did that yesterday, it's not that fun. So
(21:44):
I really thank my mom and dad for doing that drive.
And you know, my wife and I took a pit
stop halfway, but I think they did the whole thing.
I'm gonna end with just a quick story. This is
something that you know, I've never really never thought of
being in Hall of Fame or my goals being a
Hall of Fame, nothing like that. But when I was
(22:04):
about six years old, I went to my first big
tournament in Columbus, Ohio Tournament Champions and uh I went
to and two. It was okay, I just kind of
just started wrestling. And as we're leaving the arena, my
uh we picked up a program. In the program, it
was pretty cool. They had all the all the brackets
from the year before, all all the podium pictures and
then the champion picture. And I remember telling my dad
(22:26):
that I want to be in the in the programs.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Pretty cool.
Speaker 9 (22:29):
See your face and there, and he said, you know
that's not If you're serious, I'll you know, I'll train
you hard, and I'll do everything I can uh to
make you great. And uh, I don't know if you
ever envisioned uh all the awards or the countless programs
that I would be in after that moment, but uh,
whatever you did sure as hell worked. So uh thank
(22:51):
you to my mom and my dad and and everyone
involved in my life. I couldn't be happier uh where
I am today.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
So thank you.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Legends is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of
Fame and produced by the Matt Talk podcast network.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
If you want to hear more from.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Wrestling's legends, contribute to the project today by going to
Matt talkonline dot com slash contribute. We hope you've enjoyed
this look in the wrestling history. This has been Legends.
I'm Jason Bryant.
From the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
This is Legends.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Is Legends. I'm Jason Bryant.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Prepare for a journey through wrestling's past, present, and future.
As we'll hear are the great stories of wrestling and
success from the true legends.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
Of the sport. Here on Hall of Fame Legends.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
So, without any more ado, let's go ahead and get started.
I might say that we hope everyone enjoyed the meal,
and now it's time for the program to begin. This
is another opportunity for us to learn more about this
special group of individuals who we are honoring this weekend.
We're going to hear from those who know them the best,
and that's their family and their friends. Each of the
(00:55):
speakers will be allowed to talk for five minutes. Unfortunately,
there will be no injury timeouts and we don't have
any time for overtimes. Our final distinguished member is Logan Steber.
First to speak about Logan is his wife Helen.
Speaker 5 (01:17):
Hi, everyone again, my name is Helen, and I stand
before you today to celebrate the achievements of an extraordinary
athlete and more importantly, my husband, Logan Steeber. In the
world of sports, greatness is often defined by records and achievements,
but behind every great athlete is a story of sacrifice
(01:38):
and unwavering determination. Today, I'm honored to share a glimpse
of the story and character of the remarkable man sitting.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Right over there.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
I first met Logan at the beginning of his senior
year at the Ohio State University, where I was a
junior on the track and cross country team. I didn't
know much about him other than that he was a wrestler,
and on our first date, he really didn't talk about
himself at all. Later that night, I googled him and
a million search results and videos came up. One that
(02:11):
stood out was coach Tom Ryan stating that Logan could
do a pull up with just one finger on each hand.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
On our next date, I had a lot of questions.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
Needless to say, I immediately fell in love, not because
of his athletic achievements, but because he was the kindest
and most humble person I had ever met. From twenty
fourteen on, I've witnessed all of the highs and the lows,
but no matter what, Logan always kept a positive mindset.
His passion for the sport has been nothing short of contagious.
(02:42):
I've watched him pour his heart and soul into every practice,
overcome countless obstacles, and rise above adversity. For all the
days he spent cutting weight on the treadmill and in
the sauna, and for all the nights he'd keep me
awake by chewing on ice cubes in bed.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
He would do it all with a smile.
Speaker 5 (03:01):
But beyond his athletic achievements, it's really his kindness and
humility that sets him apart. Logan is actually the most
kind person I know. He makes a positive impact on
everyone he meets. When Logan ran a youth wrestling club,
there were kids ages five to eighteen, and sometimes there'd
be a kid who is too afraid to practice.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
So Logan would come over and crouch down.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
To their level and say, Hey, do you want to
be my co coach for the day. You don't have
to wrestle, you just have to help me, and he
would give them a whistle. So the whole practice they
would walk around with Logan coaching, and after that they
would always want to come back to the next practice
and wrestle because he had given them the confidence. Logan
is also the most humble and modest person I know
(03:47):
he never talks about himself or his achievements, and he
actually told me not to mention any of his athletic
achievements in my speech.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
In victory, he was always quick.
Speaker 5 (03:58):
To acknowledge the role that others played in his success
and in defeat, he was always gracious and showed respect
for his opponents, including Coleman. Whenever he did lose, he
only ever blamed himself. In the ten years I've known Logan,
I've never once seen him get mad, yell, or lose
his patience. He genuinely celebrates the successes of others without
(04:22):
jealousy or resentment. He loves lifting people up, and he
truly has no ego about him, and I can say
that his character really does exemplify true sportsmanship. So as
we honor his achievements, let us not only celebrate the
medals won, but celebrate the man behind the athlete, a
man who has not only conquered the world of wrestling,
(04:45):
but who also captured the hearts of all who have
had the privilege of knowing him. So here's to you, Logan,
the greatest wrestler in person I know, and the most
incredible husband I could ever ask for. Thank you for
being a shining I in my life and also in
the world of wrestling. Thank you, Thank you, Helen.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
We will now hear more about Logan from his brother Hunter.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
Hey, thanks for having me. So everyone up there, congrats
all them. They're all to be up there.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
You gotta be special, you gotta be different.
Speaker 6 (05:43):
So figure out to his story. But when I first
knew that Logan, LOGI was different. So our father over there,
he was the coach of our our little pot of kids.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
He didn't know anything our wrestling.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
He worked construction, so I knew was hard work. So
he put on a hard practice, so hard and popular
that kids from all over would come in from the state,
from other states would come in. Practices are probably a
little too too insane for six to ten year olds,
but we went through it, and at least once to practice,
(06:18):
someone left crying.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
So me and a couple of the other kids came
up with the.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
Theory that my dad and the other parents would pick
a kid and that they would have the worst practice
of their life and they were going to come home crying.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
It's kind of right. We called it the victim of
the day.
Speaker 6 (06:37):
So when I was eight, I hurt my wrists or
hand in football, so I got to sit out for
like a week. It's the bestification ever. So I'm watching practice.
I'm watching my brother and it's right away. It's three
man groups shark bait or man in the middle, and
he gets taken on right away, and I'm like, oh no,
my dad's on. I'm hard and I got Slogan's a
(06:59):
victim today. And after that he just rained down destruction
on the rest of the kids the rest of the practice,
and my dad was not easy on them. He had
fresh kids, he had the best groups. He said it
was a five minute go in the middle, but I'm
pretty sure it was eight, maybe seven.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
But that was my dad.
Speaker 6 (07:20):
So practicing for driving home and I'm like waiting, I'm like,
what's Logan gonna say. He's gonna say anything, he can complain,
but nothing, didn't say anything, just normal to him. The
next day goes on next practice, same thing I'm watching.
He doesn't give up a takedown, but my dad's down,
I'm hard. He has the freshest guys. Guys come in
and he's never gets a break. Everything's longer, everything's harder
(07:42):
for him. And again on the way home, doesn't complain
and I'm just waiting. I'm like, please be normal, like,
please be like me, like complain, but no, never complain.
But just what it was my dad saw something in
Logan before the rest of all everyone else, that he
was different.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
That he needed it, he needed to be pushed. And
that was.
Speaker 6 (08:02):
That was the week that I first became Logan's biggest fan.
And every day after that, from college or all the
way to college, he never complained cutting weight, never complained.
Just it's Logan. Hardest practices, hardest route, doesn't matter. That
that Slogan. So thank you for having me. Thank you
Logan for being my brother and showing me how to
(08:25):
be better in every way.
Speaker 7 (08:27):
Congrats, good evening, everyone, Welcome, Welcome to the twenty twenty
four Hall of Fame Induction of honorees. We're delighted to
(08:52):
have you here with us this weekend and this evening.
I'm happy now to bring to the podium the Chairman
of the Board of the Governors of the National Wrestling
Hall of Fame, Tom Slowey.
Speaker 8 (09:14):
Good evening, actually great evening on behalf of the Nasha
Wrestling Hall of Fame. Welcome to the forty seventh Honors Induction. Ceremony.
This evening's turnout is certainly a testimony through the exceptional
individuals we honor this evening, but also to the fantastic
and loyal support of our wrestling community. So thank you
(09:37):
for being here. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is
grateful you're with us to celebrate the class of twenty
twenty four inductees. This is a very special time as
we recognize and enshrine our sports very best and honor
their extraordinary achievements. The class of twenty twenty four inductees
(09:58):
our inspiration to us. Their life pass and accomplishments offer
positive guidance and examples to us all, and especially to
our country's youth and future leaders. The National Wrestling Hall
of Famer is privileged to host and celebrate honors weekend
with them. As we all know, wrestling teaches invaluable lessons.
(10:22):
It also instills positive traits that serve us well over
a lifetime. Determination, commitment, perseverance, persistence, and resilience, to name.
Speaker 9 (10:33):
Just a few.
Speaker 8 (10:35):
And so as we move forward.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
In life, we are well prepared to.
Speaker 8 (10:39):
Manage the challenges and opportunities that we want encounter with
purpose and excellence. And as leaders as an example for
others to follow.
Speaker 9 (10:52):
On.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Behalf of the Sponsors Volunteers, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Staff,
Board of Governors, Governors Associates. Thank you for sharing this
evening with us as we proudly celebrate the Class of
twenty twenty four.
Speaker 7 (11:08):
Thank you our final two thousand and twenty four distinguished member,
Logan Steber.
Speaker 9 (11:17):
In the United States is the best wrestling country in
the world.
Speaker 10 (11:29):
I met Logo when he was in grade school. Logan
used to come to Eric Burnett's training site, and we
call it the Barn, and I met him, you know,
like an Eric goes, he go over there and teach
them something. So I taught something some moves actually, and
(11:55):
after the tournament.
Speaker 9 (11:56):
You know, I said, did you use my moves? He
said yes.
Speaker 10 (12:00):
Referee stopped me because it was illegal, that big champion.
Speaker 1 (12:05):
At seventy eight pounds moving up a weight class.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Logan Steeper a seventh grader.
Speaker 1 (12:09):
He's twenty four and over this year.
Speaker 9 (12:11):
My mom and dad at the beginning were a huge factor,
and then they took us to the Burnettes. So Ron
Burnett just a huge factor in my early development. After
coach Ron Burnett, his son Eric Eric took me under
his wing and really trained me. Eric's brother, Scottie. I
(12:31):
was able to work out with him a lot in
high school. Along that same time coach Jordan, coach Jeff
Jordan from Saint Paris. Graham helped me tremendously. You know
my coaches in high school, Coach Scott Bauer and Glenn Bellamy,
the just great coaches that that they just they did
(12:54):
all the right things to keep me, uh, keep me focused.
You know when things got too crazy, you know, they
were able to keep me focused and keep me aligned
and then don't have to do a lot of technical
things for me. They just kept me in the right spot.
And then at Ohio State, you know coach Tom Ryan,
Luis Elli, coach Jay Jaggers, Ross Thatcher, coach Travelle Delaghnov
(13:19):
and all the people I've named, you know, countless of
their assistants that helped me. So just been really really lucky.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Four time Ohio High School State champion, two.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Time NCAA champion, three years reside.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Both of the fourteenth, four time Big ten champion heaver
in history.
Speaker 11 (13:37):
I got the job here in two thousand and six.
Logan was a sophomore. He was one of the best
sophomores I've ever seen. I watched him with the iron Man,
his aggression, his skill, and then of course, as I
learned more about Logan, I learned more about how core
centered he was, what his family was like, the importance
of family, the way he trained, the way he lived
(13:58):
his life, and he had all of the all of
the intangibles of being really a leade.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
He also won a lot.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
According to the NCAA, he's the most dominant wrestler in
NC Double A Division one.
Speaker 12 (14:11):
What was really interesting is how humble and modest he was.
I always knew we had, like in twenty fourteen, we
had like a really good wrestler that had won a
bunch of things, but I didn't know exactly who it was,
and I didn't know until I googled him after I
met him that that's who it was, because he said
nothing about how good he was at wrestling.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Weldon Steve or has the ton of legend a four
time champion, because I'm very proud.
Speaker 8 (14:39):
You know, I'm not surprised by any means.
Speaker 11 (14:42):
You know, he's a world champion, he's a four time
state champion, is four time national champion.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
There's no you know, it's well deserved.
Speaker 13 (14:48):
He and I were got pretty deep into running, like
right before COVID we were doing quite a bit of
running and you know, trying to get ready to gear
up to do some like like.
Speaker 9 (14:58):
A team Ultra marathon thing.
Speaker 13 (15:01):
And I remember we were having like I was having
people over my in law's house. As me and my
wife and kids are driving there, I see Logan on
the side of the road running and I'm like, that
dude lives far away, and He's like, I just wanted
to knock out a marathon this morning for no reason,
you know, thirty years old. Didn't really talk about it,
didn't tell me. I just happened to see it. That
(15:22):
that ability to do hard things, you know, like there's nothing,
there's nothing I don't think he could do if if
like he was challenged or if he was bet, you know,
like if he was bet to do, Hey, dude, knock
out one thousand ropes today, he'd be like.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
I could do that.
Speaker 13 (15:36):
And I believe he could, you know, because he's, uh,
he's just got an uncanny ability to push himself there
Allie have.
Speaker 11 (15:43):
With the front headlock, trying to check around the outside.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
And then Steve played with the times.
Speaker 11 (15:48):
We were talking about the floor, you think that Logan's
out of it when he's when he's heads down like that,
is that actually waiting for him to pick up some handles.
Speaker 9 (15:58):
Really, it's just a great feeling, you know, to to
walk out there knowing that if you're the guy representing
your country at the way class at the biggest event
in the world for your sport. And in twenty sixteen
I won the World Championships, so it was really cool
to to win and then run around the map with
the flag. Super cool. And then uh, you know when
(16:22):
you when you win the World Championships or the Olympics,
at the podium, you know, they get your ward and
they play national anthem so of your of the country,
which yeah, so really cool. It was a it was
a great moment. And when we were a kids, you know,
you start you start looking at all the things you
can do in the sport. You know, that's pretty much
the highest highest thing you can accomplish the World or
(16:45):
Olympic gold. So it's just, uh, it's a nice just
culmination of everything you've ever dreamed of.
Speaker 12 (16:55):
Logan being inducted into the Hall of Fame means a
lot to me because getting to watch him compete. I've
met so many people along the way that have like
become family to me now, like coaches and wives and
other USA Wrestling athletes, and now all the guys that
he coaches at Ohio State.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
We joke that they're like our children.
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Yes, I trained hard, but I have lots of good
people motivating me, lots of good training partners, my family
and my mom and dad, my brother, my coaches. It
was so it's cool. It's really, it's really, it's really
cool to win an award because you know, I think
it's obviously it's not just me winning awards. It's a
lot of people.
Speaker 11 (17:34):
It means so much to me in the program and
all the people that have lifted Logan along the way.
Logan is an amazing person. He's a great friend, he's
a great husband, he's a great son. I mean, just
one of the good guys, one of the best people
I've been around. I've tried for quite a while to
make him mad, and I can't do it. I can
(17:55):
no matter what I try to do.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
He stays steady and calm.
Speaker 11 (18:00):
So we're super proud of him.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
You know, we love him and he paid his dues,
He paid the price.
Speaker 11 (18:07):
He's someone that you know was in here in the
morning and back in the afternoon, and I know before
I ever got here, it was an intense it was
an intense way of life for Logan for many many years.
Speaker 9 (18:19):
This isn't you know.
Speaker 11 (18:20):
There's no magic dust here. This guy earned it and
we're proud of him.
Speaker 7 (18:33):
Distinguished member Logan Steamer, please come forward with your presenter,
your father, Jeff Steber.
Speaker 9 (19:04):
H Thank you, guys. Thank you to everybody in the
Hall of Fame committee, uh Lee Roy, Tom Jack and
and everybody else involved. Thank you to Scooter for making
such a great video and and and just really awesome
(19:28):
videos and and honies the whole night. I want to
thank my family for being here. Uh my my dad,
my mom, my my brother, his girlfriend, uh my wife.
I should have had her write my speech tonight, but
hopefully I can. I can do all right. The rest
of my family, my my Buckeye family, is in Geneva,
(19:52):
Ohio right now at a big tournament, but very uh
you know, very excited for them. I'm gonna spend and uh,
I'm gonna spend the whole whole time. And I really
is thinking, uh, my, my, my, my parents, my my
coaches throughout all levels really really helped me. I don't
(20:12):
have enough time to thank all them, but I really
wanted to spend the last couple of minutes here talking
about my mom and dad. I would say, uh, they
sacrificed all their time for us, but I think they
truly enjoyed it. They they gave everything, uh they had
to my brother and I. They gave their time, Uh,
they gave their money, and they gave their heart to us.
(20:37):
My brother spoke a little bit about, uh, the little
small practices we had back in the day, and if
you look in the Hall of Fame, there's a there's
a shirt that says Steepers Dogs. That was my dad's
little mini club that was outside of the real a
real club that showed us moves. My dad's never really
showed us any moves, but he did a good job
of training us really really hard. And uh, you know,
(21:00):
not all the parents could really endure watching the practices.
But I think I don't know if we had a
lot of fun, but we had a lot of fun afterwards,
and it's always fun to win.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Sorry, I lost my place here as a child, my.
Speaker 9 (21:21):
Brother and I. We went on lots of trips. Two
of them were for fun of the course of maybe
fifteen years. The rest of them were for wrestling in
popular places like Pittsburgh, Topeka, Kansas, Rino, Nevada, and of
course tas Oklahoma. And we drove the Tulsa and as
someone who did that yesterday, it's not that fun. So
(21:44):
I really thank my mom and dad for doing that drive.
And you know, my wife and I took a pit
stop halfway, but I think they did the whole thing.
I'm gonna end with just a quick story. This is
something that you know, I've never really never thought of
being in Hall of Fame or my goals being a
Hall of Fame, nothing like that. But when I was
(22:04):
about six years old, I went to my first big
tournament in Columbus, Ohio Tournament Champions and uh I went
to and two. It was okay, I just kind of
just started wrestling. And as we're leaving the arena, my
uh we picked up a program. In the program, it
was pretty cool. They had all the all the brackets
from the year before, all all the podium pictures and
then the champion picture. And I remember telling my dad
(22:26):
that I want to be in the in the programs.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Pretty cool.
Speaker 9 (22:29):
See your face and there, and he said, you know
that's not If you're serious, I'll you know, I'll train
you hard, and I'll do everything I can uh to
make you great. And uh, I don't know if you
ever envisioned uh all the awards or the countless programs
that I would be in after that moment, but uh,
whatever you did sure as hell worked. So uh thank
(22:51):
you to my mom and my dad and and everyone
involved in my life. I couldn't be happier uh where
I am today.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
So thank you.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Legends is a presentation of the National Wrestling Hall of
Fame and produced by the Matt Talk podcast network.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
If you want to hear more from.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
Wrestling's legends, contribute to the project today by going to
Matt talkonline dot com slash contribute. We hope you've enjoyed
this look in the wrestling history. This has been Legends.
I'm Jason Bryant.
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