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2009 Winter Camp and Dinner Information:
Excel honors Excel Board Member Arno Niemand, Excel's "Hall of Heroes" Inductee

Honoring Arno Niemand

Honoring: Arno Niemand

It is an honor to induct Arno Niemand to the Excel Wrestling "Hall of Heroes" this year in Denver, CO.

Arno has served as a member of Excel's Advisory Board of Directors for the past 10 years. He has been instrumental in the success of the organization and his overall association with the sport of wrestling has touched many lives.

Arno Niemand wrestled for Cornell University, a program that he continues to stay very close to today. He wrestled at 137lbs for Cornell between 1952 and 1954. In 1953, he wrestled on the Cornell team that won the EIWA Conference Championships and placed third in the NCAA Championships. He went on after college to compete for the New York Athletic Club and remains a lifetime member of the New York Athletic Club today. Following his wrestling career, he became an avid runner, completing both the Boston and New York City Marathons with times of 2:50 and 2:51. At the age of 75, he still runs more than 20 miles a week.

Over the years, his assistance, ideas, and support have reached from the National Wrestling Coaches Association and Cornell University to contributions and innovation in the last decade to Excel Wrestling and USA Wrestling in Colorado. He remains very active as a board member for Excel Wrestling and his company, Body Bar Systems continues to support the USA Wrestling Women's Freestyle National Team as an official sponsor.

Last summer in June, Arno Niemand was presented with the Order of Merit Award at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Annual Banquet. The Order of Merit Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of wrestling, other than success as an athlete or coach.

His contributions to wrestling were summed up with comments made by Rob Koll, Cornell University Head Coach, Excel Wrestling Head Coach Steve Knight and Executive Director of USA Wrestling, Rich Bender:

“Arno helped us build the countries finest wrestling center,” said Koll, whose Big Red is ranked third entering the 2009-2010 season. “He appreciates the current climate of collegiate athletics and has helped Cornell thrive in conditions where many other universities have dropped wrestling programs or are cutting back in the sport.”

“Arno Niemand and Body Bar have been major factors in the success of our U.S. women’s national team,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. “Their support has not only provided needed resources for our women to succeed on the international level, but Arno and his company have taken a personal interest in our athletes and program. The United States has become a world power in women’s wrestling, and Arno has been a key partner in that journey.”

"It's hard to know where to begin to describe Arno's support for Excel Wrestling, said Knight, Excel's Head Coach. Arno has been like a father figure to me personally and we are grateful for all he has done for Excel. He's a great man with a lot of wisdom about life. His level of understanding in regard to the overall wrestling community in the US is unmatched. Very few know the sport like Arno knows it. And I'm thrilled we're finally getting to honor him this year at our Tribute Dinner. He's one of a kind!"

Niemand also received his Gold Star in 2008 from FILA, the International Governing Body of Wrestling. He has also been instrumental in supporting the NWCA's educational program "Building Leaders for Life" and the College Sports Council's advocacy against the consequences of Title IX toward the sport of wrestling.

It is with great pleasure that we recognize Arno Niemand and his wife Brenda at this year's Excel Wrestling Tribute Dinner.