WATERLOO - The first of two major annual events at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum will take place Saturday.

The museum will induct six new members into its Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa, including founder Mike Chapman.

The induction ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the museum.

"We are really excited about this class," marketing director Kent Sesker said. "It represents so many different aspects of our sport.

"All three of our Division I institutions are reprented, and it's a diverse group."

Chapman headlines the group after dedicating much of the last four decades to the sport of wrestling, including founding the DGIWIM.

Joining Chapman are Eric Voelker, Jim Craig, Vic Marcucci, Franc Freeman and Champ Martin.

"All six have made outstanding contributions to the sport of wrestling in Iowa," Sesker said.

The Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to honor people who have made an impact on the sport at a national level or who have done extraordinary work in the state of Iowa.

The hall recognizes native Iowans and those who achieved their fame while wrestling or coaching for an Iowa college.

To date, 92 individuals have been honored by the hall.

"I think we're going to have a great crowd," Sesker said. "Each of these guys have made their mark on wrestling in the state of Iowa."

Chapman was named National Wrestling Writer of the Year five times and in 2007 was given the Order of Merit by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla.

Craig was a two-time all-American and NCAA champion at Iowa. He also coached Bob Steenlage, the first four-time Iowa high school state champion, to his fourth state title in 1962.

Voelker, who lives in Grimes, was a two-time NCAA champion and three-time all-American for Iowa State.

Marcucci, who now lives in Waterloo, was a three-time all-American for Iowa State.

Leon "Champ" Martin was an all-American at UNI and coached Algona High School to four state titles. His son, Dave, was an NCAA champion for Iowa State, while Paul was a three-time all-American at Oklahoma State.

Freeman was a two-time all-American at State College of Iowa, now UNI, before embarking on a 29-year high school coaching career, including the last 27 at Bettendorf.

The museum is also hosting an open house today at 5 p.m. to thank everybody who helped the museum recover from last year's floods.

It is free and open to the public.

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