MELVIN DOUGLAS
1963 –
Inducted 2007
Melvin Lavon Douglas III was one of the United States’ greatest freestyle wrestlers in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a member of the USA National Team 11 times, a two-time NCAA champion for the University of Oklahoma and competed in the Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000. Douglas was also a three-time Kansas state champion at Highland Park High School in Topeka in 1979, 1980 and 1981 and was later crowned as a USA Junior Freestyle national champion in 1981. While at Oklahoma, Douglas became an NCAA champion in 1985 and 1986 at 177 pounds and was also a two-time All-American for the Sooners. Douglas was a seven-time champion in USA Senior Freestyle competition in 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. He represented his country in the FILA World Championships six times and won the 1993 world championship at 198 pounds. He also finished second in 1989 and third in 1994 and ’95. Douglas competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where he placed seventh at 198 pounds. He also qualified for the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia. Born August 21, 1963. Graduated Highland Park H.S., Topeka, 1981; University of Oklahoma, 1986.