WATERLOO - Tim Johnson feels a little odd to be honored for his ability to speak.

But over the last 21 years, the Morning Sun native has been the Voice of Iowa wrestling, whether it be collegiate or prep.

The veteran Iowa Public Television and ESPN announcer will be among seven men inducted as part of the 2007 Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Museum and Institute Saturday at 1 p.m. at the museum.

"My job is to promote all the great ones," said Johnson from his office at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Champaign, Ill., where he is the head of the Midwest chapter of the organization. "So it feels a little odd. It is really humbling and honoring."

He will join Al Baxter, Gene Lybbert, Simon Roberts, Sherwyn Thorson, Frank Santana and Don Parker as part of the 2007 class during a busy weekend at the museum.

In addition to the Hall of Fame ceremonies, the Dan Gable Championship Wrestling Clinic will be conducted on Friday and Saturday.

Guest speakers include: Bruce Baumgartner, athletic director at Edinboro University; Tom Ryan, head coach at Ohio State; Jim Miller, head coach at Wartburg; Dan Gable; andIowa head coach Tom Brands.

Johnson just completed his 21st year as the "Voice" of Iowa Public Television's sports series "College Wrestling."

During his time, Johnson has broadcast more than 150 college wrestling meets for IPTV, the Fighting Illni Wrestling network, ESPN and Real Pro Wrestling.

In 1984, he was the director of wrestling for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

His induction has a surreal feeling to it as his boyhood idol - Baxter - is also being inducted.

"I remember sitting with his family in McElroy Auditorium when he won the state title in 1965, the first for Morning Sun," recalled Johnson. "He was my first hero."

Johnson said he's being honored because a lot of people went out of their way to help him.

Primarily, he pointed to former Northern Iowa wrestling coach Chuck Patton, for whom Johnson served as a graduate assistant coach in 1976 and '77.

"I wouldn't have become head coach at Mount Vernon if not for Chuck Patton," said Johnson. "I wouldn't have directed the 1984 Olympic Games at Los Angeles if Patton hadn't said something to the head of USA Wrestling.

"I've been the beneficiary of a lot people's kindness. I couldn't have accomplished what I've done without a lot of people who believed in me."

While Johnson has a wealth of wrestling experience and stories, one story will always stand out for him.

"When Dan (Gable) retired after the 1997 season, they decided to pair him with me on IPTV," said Johnson. "We were sitting in his wrestling chateau/room and he spins around in his chair and points to me. He goes, 'Timmy you are good, but you can be better.'

"I haven't stopped trying to do better since that conversation."

The Hall of Fame ceremonies will take place at 1 p.m. in the Greco-Roman area of the museum. It is open to the public and a reception will take place following the ceremonies. Admission is $5.

To register for the clinic, do it online at championshipproductions.com

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com

AL BAXTER

The legendary coach retired from Buena Vista University three years ago after a 35-year coaching stint, including 26 with the Beavers.

Baxter began his career at Lisbon High School where in nine seasons his Lion teams won five traditional state titles.

At Buena Vista, Baxter compiled a 376-119-5 dual meet mark while winning eight Iowa Conference championships. He also coached 71 all-Americans and six national champions.

He was a state champion at Morning Sun in 1965 and an all-American at Morningside College.

GENE LYBBERT

Lybbert was a two-time all-American for State Teachers College (now Northern Iowa), placing third at 130 in 1951 and winning an NCAA title in 1952 at the same weight.

After college, Lybbert went on to coach at Blue Earth (Minn.) High School, where in his four seasons his teams won three state championships and was the state runner-up the other season.

Lybbert now lives in Cedar Falls and is actively involved with the UNI wrestling program.

DON PARKER

Parker was a two-time Division II national champion for Northern Iowa in 1966 and '67. In addition, he was a Division I All-American in 1967.

From 1973 to 1977, Parker was the head coach at Upper Iowa University before taking over at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1977.

The former North Fayette state champion was paralyzed in a hunting accident in 1998, but has continued to serve as the Blu-Gold's head coach.

He has coached 12 All-Americans and won 18 conference championships during his 30 years at UW-Eau Claire.

SIMON ROBERTS

In 1956, Roberts became the first African-American wrester to win an NCAA title for the University of Iowa at 147 pounds.

A native of Davenport, Roberts was also the first African-American wrestler to win an individual state title in Iowa. He was a state champion in 1954 at 133. He has retired from a long career in education and now lives in Los Angeles.

FRANK SANTANA

From 1975 to 1978, Santana was one of the most imposing wrestlers ever to wear an Iowa State singlet. Competing at 190 pounds, Santana was a three-time national finalist and an NCAA champion in 1977. He also was a two-time Big Eight champion and finished his college career with an 86-8 record.

A businessman now living in Des Moines, Santana continues to be heavily involved with marketing and promoting wrestling around the state of Iowa and the nation.

SHERWYN THORSON

Thorson was a two-time All-American for the University of Iowa, including winning the NCAA heavyweight title in 1962.

He also was a three-year regular on the Iowa football team and later went on to play 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League. He is a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of Fame.