NEW YORK STATE – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame of the Upstate New York State Chapter would like to announce the new inductees into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, this year’s recipients of the Outstanding American Award, and the Medal of Courage.
The Upstate New York Chapter is dedicated to the main goals of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame which are first, recognizing excellence in wrestling in the Upstate New York area; second, preserving the rich and colorful history of wrestling in New York and, and third, inspiring future generations of New Yorkers to participate in one of the oldest and best sports in the world.
This year the Upstate New York Chapter takes great pride in recognizing the individuals who will be honored on September 17, 2017 at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse, New York.
The individuals who will be receiving the Lifetime Service Award at this occasion are: Wayne Carroll – Section IX Official; Steve Fischbein – Monroe-Woodbury High School; Robert Gately – Section V – LeRoy High School; Rick Gumble – Section IV – Chenango Forks High School; William Kays – Section III - Mexico Academy and Central School and Brad Penrith – Iowa University.
In addition, this year the Upstate New York Chapter will present Murry Dimon with the Medal of Courage Award, and Charles Palmer, a chef and hotelier, and Stefan (Steve) Banach, a retired Colonel in the United States Army with our Outstanding American Award.
Robert Koshinski will be presented with the annual Stanbro Media Award for his work promoting wrestling in the Empire State, and Carson (Cork) Armstrong will be given the Volunteer Award.
Below are the bio’s provided by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame of the Upstate New York State Chapter of each of the five Section IV individuals who will be inducted, this coming September, 2017.

• Brad Penrith
In Section IV during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, perhaps one of the names that brought trepidation to all light weight wrestlers was Penrith.
In this time, frame the Penrith brothers, Brad and Bret, caused many wrestlers and their coaches to lose a night’s sleep. Arguably one of the best brother combinations in the history of wrestling in Section IV, the Penriths won tournament after tournament. Many wrestling historians were comparing them to Mark and Randy Payne from Sidney in the 1960’s.
The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to honor one of the greatest wrestlers to represent the section, Brad Penrith.
During his four years at Windsor High School Brad finished fourth, third and first in the New York State Wrestling Tournament that was held at the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse, New York.
Following graduation Brad left Windsor High School and joined the legendary Iowa Hawkeye Coach Dan Gable and proceeded to accomplish much more.
In 1986, wrestling as a sophomore at Iowa, Brad won the Big Ten Championships and received the Outstanding Wrestler award at the conference meet. Then he proceeded to win the 126 pound weight class at the NCAA championship which was held in Iowa City. He defeated Dennis Semmel from the US Military Academy 9-4 and helped Iowa win yet another NCAA title for Gable.
As a junior and senior at Iowa Brad each year won the Big Ten championships and was runner-up each year in the NCAA championships. Penrith also made his mark on the international level before retiring in 1996.
He captured a silver medal at the 1991 World Championships and was the gold medalist at the Pan American Games in 1989 and 1991.
In addition, Brad was third at the 1994 Goodwill Games; was a two-time Sunkist Open champion; took the Roger Coulon title in France in 1992 and 1996; was a member of the 1989 U. S. World Team; and took third at the World Cup in 1990 and 1991. Furthermore, he placed third at the 1996 Olympic Team Trials; won the U. S. Nationals three times--1989, 1991, and 1993--and was second at the 1992 Final Olympic Wrestle-Off.
Brad also had an outstanding career as a college coach. He served as the graduate assistant coach at Iowa after graduation in 1988, assistant coach at Arizona State for two years, and then worked at Boise State for one year.
From Boise, he worked from 1992 to 1997 as the assistant coach at the University of Nebraska for Tim Neumann and moved on to be the assistant coach at the University of Northern Iowa before he was elevated to the head coach position for the Panthers.
In 2001 Brad was selected by Amateur Wrestling Magazine as the Rookie Coach of the Year. Moreover, in the summer of 1999 he was the head coach of the United States team that took the bronze medal in team competition at the Junior World Freestyle Championships in Sydney, Australia. In addition, in 2005 Brad was inducted into the Dan Gable Museum’s Hall of Fame. Brad’s success as a wrestler and coach exemplifies the very best in our sport.
After leaving coaching, Brad joined Mudd Adverting in Cedar Falls, Iowa and has embarked on a very successful career in that field. Brad and his wife, Laura live in Cedar Falls with their three children, Gabriel, Jacob and Grace. The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud and privileged to induct Brad into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

• Colonel (Retired) Steve Banach
When a soldier leaves his home, his family and the safety of his country to serve in combat six times during his career, we can never pay enough recognition and honor to that individual. The Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame would like to take this opportunity to recognize and pay homage to a true U.S. Army Ranger combat hero who also has established himself as an outstanding wrestler and an integral member of a family who has excelled on the wrestling mats for their country.
It is for those reasons and many more, that we pay tribute to Steve Banach, the older brother of Olympic Gold Medal winners Lou and Ed Banach.
As retired Major General Kenneth C. Leuer stated in his letter of endorsement for Steve, “no matter the mission, Steve Banach has stayed true to his wrestling values of dedication, mission accomplishment mindset, physical toughness and leading others in the pursuit of excellence.”
Steve epitomizes what we want to teach our students, athletes, and youth in America.
Steve’s odyssey as a wrestler began in his high school days at Port Jervis High School where he wrestled under the superb leadership of Coach Mark Faller.
Following his stellar high school career, Steve headed to Clemson University, where as a freshman, he was already exhibiting the characteristics of a leader by being selected as the captain of his wrestling team. While at Clemson, Steve was the ACC Conference runner-up in the 190 pound weight class but decided to transfer to Iowa University the next year where he wrestled for legendary Coach Dan Gable and joined his brothers.
In 1984 Steve finished second at the Eastern Regional Olympic trials and qualified for the 1984 final Olympic trials. In 1984 Steve was also a member of the elite All-Army wrestling team while serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 82d Airborne Division.
After graduating from Iowa University, Steve embarked on a distinguished career in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of Colonel.
Lieutenant General and Superintendent at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Robert Caslen, proclaimed in his support letter that, “Steve is a tremendous leader who served his country with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 2010. During his Army career, he served in six combat zones and participated in four invasions in support of our national policies and objectives. He is a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. While in command of the 3rd Ranger Battalion from 2001-2003, he led U.S. Army Rangers during a historic night combat parachute assault into Afghanistan on October 19, 2001, as the “spearhead” for the Global War on Terror after the events of September 11th. During the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Steve led Army Rangers in a second combat parachute assault into Al Anbar province in western Iraq, where ISIS is fighting United States and Iraqi forces today.”
Throughout his military career Steve has received numerous military awards and decorations to include the Bronze Star Medal with “Valor Device” for heroism under fire in combat. Steve crafted many professional publications during his career.
In 2015, he and his brothers penned the book, “Uncommon Bonds: A Journey in Optimism,” an inspiring and motivating story of the three Banach brothers’ journey to success.
It is the honor and privilege of the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame that we present Colonel (Retired) Steve Banach with the Outstanding American Award for 2017.

• Rick Gumble
Every Section in New York State is blessed with those individuals who dedicate their lives to promoting and developing the great sport of wrestling.
Richard “Rick” Gumble embodies that person in Section IV. Rick’s selflessness, passion, perseverance, dedication, and willingness to go the extra mile to enhance wrestling is unparalleled in the southern tier and all areas of the state. Those attributes exemplify what it means to be considered for the great honor of being a “Hall of Famer” and why the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is bestowing that honor on Coach Gumble.
Rick began his successful wrestling career in Maine-Endwell High School, where he is a member of their Athletic Hall of Fame, under the direction of Regan Beers.
Following graduation Rick remained in the area and wrestled for two years at Broome Community College. While at Broome he was the 1978 NJCAA Regional Finalist and in 1979 NJCAA Regional Champion. Rick coached at Maine-Endwell after being the BCC coach for one year, and then joined Hall of Fame Coach Steve Erber at Binghamton University as his volunteer assistant coach.
At Binghamton, Rick was influential in the development of his brother, Mark Gumble, who became a Division III National Champion at the 150-pound weight class in 1988 for the Colonials, and many others wrestlers on Coach Erber’s team.
In 1990 Rick became the head coach at Johnson City and then moved on to Chenango Forks in 1995. His record as head coach is 272-96 and he has coached 58 individual Section IV champions. Furthermore, he has coached 36 individual New York State place winners, 14 New York State finalist and six New York State champions which included Matt Sorchinsky, Paul Lyman, John Alexander, Troy Nickerson, Jesse Villella and Kyle Kelly.
Coach Gumble’s teams have won four consecutive overall Section IV team titles at Johnson City (1990-1994) and were victorious in four Section IV Dual Meet Team titles from the year 2008 to 2011.
Furthermore, Coach Gumble has been active with USA Wrestling serving as the state coach since 1990 and on the USAW Board of Directors (1996-2008). He has also been the head coach of the New York Junior/Cadet teams and acted as the Director of the NYS Freestyle and Greco Championships from 1990 to 2015.
In 2009 he was selected USA Wrestling & United States Olympic Developmental Coach of the year and in 2016 USA Wrestling Kids/Cadet Person of the year. In addition, Rick has assisted as the co-chairman of Section IV wrestling with Rick Armstrong.
Rick and his wife, Dr. Andrea Gumble, reside in Binghamton, and are the proud parents of three children, daughters Livia and Alanna and their son, Logan who wrestled for his father this season.
The Upstate New York Chapter is honored to welcome Rick as a new member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his many accomplishments and service to the sport of wrestling.

• Carson ‘Cork’ Armstrong
Every successful wrestling program starts with a strong youth program and certainly Carson “Cork” Armstrong demonstrates this important element of development. Cork started his wrestling career at Johnson City High School wrestling 98 pounds for Hall of Fame Coach Jack Stanbro, who was in his second year at Johnson City at the time.
Cork got his first taste of teaching youth wrestling because Coach Stanbro would ask his varsity wrestlers to come in and help with the instruction of the younger wrestlers in the “Mat Rat” program.
Cork spoke favorably about Coach Stanbro and the time that he spent with Armstrong’s off-season development in Greco and Freestyle; this experience helped to build the foundation of Cork’s involvement in youth wrestling and the feeling that Cork has about giving back to a sport that means so much to him.
Cork attended and wrestled at Broome Community College and Keystone College following graduation from Johnson City. In 1992 Cork took over the leadership of the Johnson City Youth Program from Barry Felton when Barry’s son, Ryan, went into seventh grade and started wrestling on the high school level.
Cork was motivated to take the youth coaching position primarily because Armstrong’s son, Jason, was wrestling, and he desired to coach him. Cork has enjoyed working with past Johnson City coaches Rick Gumble, who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, and past honoree Dr. Peter Capone.
Throughout the years, the Johnson City program was opened to youth from all over Section IV and included such notable wrestlers as Cornell’s great Troy Nickerson, American University’s NCAA Champion Josh Glen and many other outstanding wrestlers who owe so much to the guidance of Coach Armstrong.
Cork has indicated that there are many reasons why he gives so freely of his time to help build young wrestlers into successful high school wrestlers. The biggest reason is that he enjoys seeing how a youth wrestler matures and progresses to the next level of competition.
Armstrong states, “this is the best part of my job as a youth coach.”
In addition, he feels a great need to give back to the sport that has given him so much, and he relishes knowing that what he is doing is helping to keep the sport of wrestling growing in the area.
Armstrong also specifies that he is a true believer in the important life lessons that the sport teaches such as personal discipline and the involvement in team activities. Furthermore, he says there is nothing better than to have one of his wrestlers, either past or present, come up to him and thank him for all that he has done for them.
Cork keeps in touch with his past wrestlers in many ways; he attends many matches and tournaments throughout the season and enjoys talking to them in person or on the phone. He even attends the important events of their lives – recently he went to Colorado to attend Nickerson’s wedding.
Furthermore, Cork savors the close relationship of the people who have worked as coaches with him. He cites the close relationship that he has with Barry Felton and especially with Greg Kleinsmith who he has coached and worked with for many years.
Having fun and teaching the fundamentals of wrestling has been a life commitment of Carson “Cork” Armstrong. For all the years of service and dedication to the sport of wrestling, the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is proud to present Cork with our first Volunteer Award.

• Charlie Palmer
Celebrated chef and acclaimed hospitality entrepreneur Charlie Palmer has built and developed a hospitality group of thirteen notable restaurants and three award-winning boutique hotels across the country. He started his career at Sherburne-Earlville High School, under the guidance of neighbor and home economics teacher Sharon Craine, who pushed him to develop his skills and pursue a culinary education.
While learning technique in the kitchen, Palmer embraced teamwork on the mat, wrestling on the school team under the tutelage of esteemed Hall of Fame coach, Richard “Pete” Hausrath.
Charlie hailed from the village of Smyrna, New York, which had produced two New York State Wrestling Champions (Rich Koenig – 1965 and Jerry Seifert – 1969). Though Charlie was very active in several sports, he excelled in wrestling, highlighted by his defeat of the defending “super heavyweight” champion from Sidney, propelling Sherburne-Earlville to a one-point victory and the Susquenango League’s crown.
Palmer’s work with Coach Hausrath developed his natural work ethic, later driving him to grow his national organization, as well as focus on the development of this next generation of chefs, just as he was mentored within his team and school.
After his time at Sherburne-Earlville, Charlie attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, which he has continued to support, including a time on their board of trustees and tenure as the chairman.
He moved to New York City following his graduation where he earned three stars from the New York Times at the age of 23 while Executive Chef at The River Café.
Shortly thereafter, he opened his first restaurant, Aureole, his organization’s flagship which is now entering its 29th year and inspired a sister location in Las Vegas, now in its 18th year.
Other openings including Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington DC, Las Vegas, New York, and Reno grew the Charlie Palmer Group in subsequent years, with a new location in Napa forthcoming later this year.
He has boutique hotels in San Francisco (Mystic Hotel, which also houses Burritt Room + Tavern) and in Wine Country: Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer with restaurant Harvest Table, and Hotel Healdsburg, which is home to the critically-acclaimed restaurant Dry Creek Kitchen.
In addition to other properties in New York, Upper Story by Charlie Palmer, Crimson & Rye, and Charlie Palmer at the Knick, Charlie has grown a distinctive portfolio of fine dining establishments that prioritize exceptional American fare and sincere hospitality.
More information and bio’s can be found online on the National Wrestling Hall of Fame website at: nwhof.org/upstatenewyork/

– Submitted by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame of the Upstate New York State Chapter