BALTIMORE, Md. (July 26, 2024) -- Tonight, the Division II Coaches Association will celebrate the storied careers of John Davis and William Smith as they are inducted into the Jim Koch Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of the distinguished class of 2024. This momentous occasion not only honors their remarkable achievements on the mat but also highlights their lasting impact on the sport of wrestling at the Division II level.
The Jim Koch Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame stands as a beacon of excellence, showcasing the contributions of individuals like John Davis and William Smith who have paved the way for future talent.
As part of the 2024 NWCA Convention festivities, Davis and Smith will be inducted into the Jim Koch Hall of Fame along with Donovan McMahill, Matt Meuleners, Mario Morgan, Josh Shields, and Roger Singleton. The induction ceremony will take place tonight (July 26) at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa, located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Between the seven inductees for 2024 there are 10 Division II National Championships, 17 trips to the NCAA Division II National Finals, and 24 total NCAA Division II All-American finishes.
John Davis made his mark at Morgan State University in the early 1980s. As a 158-pounder, he achieved remarkable success, earning four All-American honors. His dominance in the DII division was evident in his two national championship victories in 1983 and 1984, after finishing sixth and third in 1981 and '82, respectively. The 1984 season proved to be the pinnacle of Davis's collegiate career. Not only did he claim his second national championship, but he also earned the coveted Most Outstanding Wrestler award at the DII National Championships. His impressive performance included two pins on his way to the title, showcasing his dominance on the mat.
Davis is joined by fellow Bear honoree William Smith. Smith began his collegiate career with a second place finish in the 1977 and 1978 NCAA Division-II National Championships at 158 pounds, and earned a fifth place finish at 167 pounds in the 1979 NCAA Division-II National Championships during his junior season. In 1980, Smith became the first wrestler from a Historically Black College or University to win the NCAA Division-II 158-pound championship. He was also a two-time NCAA DI All-American, taking sixth in 1978 and finishing as the runner-up at 167 in 1979. Smith, was also a four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champion, a four-time East Regional champion and is one of only two Morgan wrestlers to be named a Division-II All-American four times. He was the first Morgan State wrestler inducted to the MEAC Hall of Fame, in 1999, and was also inducted into the New York Section One Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008. He was inducted into the Morgan State Hall of Fame as well, in 2016.
Morgan State made a historic return to the wrestling mat in 2023, marking the first time in 25 years that the program competed at the NCAA Division I Varsity level. The reinstatement solidified Morgan State's position as the sole Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the nation to offer wrestling at this competitive level.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
