Hall of Fame & Honorary Awards

Each year, after the initial induction class, there will be no more than two athletes inducted yearly. The nominee must be current or have been a former member of the USA Powerlifting/ADFPA in good standing.

• The inductee must be current or have been a former member of the USA Powerlifting/ADFPA in good standing.
• The inductee shall have no drug infractions pursuant to USA Powerlifting/ADFPA organizational rules or from any other powerlifting organization, and the inductee must not have received any prior USA Powerlifting/ADFPA suspensions.
• Athlete inductees must have competed in the USA Powerlifting/ADFPA for at least FIVE years and are only eligible TEN years after their first Open competition. 
• Each year, after the initial induction class, there will be no more than two athletes inducted yearly.
• Legacy lifters will consist of lifters who competed prior to 1997 in the American Drug-Free Powerlifting Association
• Administrators, contributors, or coaches should have served at least TEN years in the USA Powerlifting/ADFPA. Eligibility in this category is limited to biannual (every two years).

Nomination Form

• 2025 Inductees
  • Men’s Open
    • Robert Wagner
  • Men’s Open Bench Only
    • Brady Stewart
  • Contributor
    • Larry Maile
• 2024 Inductee
  • Men’s Open
    • Blaine Sumner
    • Martin Beavers
• 2023 Inductees
  • Men’s Open
    • Tony Cardella
  • Men’s Open Bench Only
    • Timothy Anderson
  • Contributor
    • Billy Jack Talton
• 2022 Inductees
  • Men’s Open
    • Ervin Gainer
  • Men’s Open Bench Only
    • Jona Leo
• 2021 Inductees
  • Men’s Open
    • Anthony Harris
    • Brad Gillingham
    • Dave Ricks
    • John Kuc
    • Raymond Benemerito
    • Wade Hooper
  • Men’s Open Bench Only
    • Dennis Ceiri
    • Michael Hara
  • Contributor (The Five Founding Members)
    • Brother Bennett
    • Vince Kilburn
    • George Hummel
    • Nick Theodorou
    • Robert Crawford

Instructions for Hall of Fame Nominations

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: JANUARY 15

January 15th
Nomination Form Submission Deadline

January 30th
Selection of Inductee, EC review and vote deadline

February 5th
Inductee notified by the Committee Chair

Open Nationals
Formal Hall of Fame Induction

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Committee Members

• Eric Cordeiro - Chair 
• Dan Gaudreau
• Larry Maile
• Johnny Graham
• Josh Rohr 

2004 marked the inaugural year of the Women's Hall of Fame. The Committee chose to induct a handful of pioneers who significantly impacted Women's Powerlifting. Choosing just one individual to honor was nearly impossible.

Looking down the road and into the future years of the Women's Hall of Fame, one individual will be inducted each year. One inductee each year will be a woman, odd years, also could be a male who has considerably impacted the movement of women in powerlifting, such as Pat Malone or Terry Todd. The Committee welcomes your nominations.

• The inductee must be current or have been a former member of the USA Powerlifting/ADFPA in good standing.
• The inductee must have made historically significant and noteworthy contributions to USA Powerlifting/ADFPA women's powerlifting.
• The inductee must have served as a role model to other female athletes because of inductee's performance and leadership.
• The inductee must have in some notable, significant way worked for the promotion, advancement, and betterment of USA Powerlifting/ADFPA women's powerlifting.
• The inductee shall have no drug infractions pursuant to USA Powerlifting/ADFPA organizational rules or from any other powerlifting organization, and the inductee must not have received any prior USA Powerlifting/ADFPA suspensions.
• If an athlete, the inductee must have competed in the ADFPA/USA Powerlifting at least 5 years. If an administrator, must have served at least 10 years in the ADFPA/USA Powerlifting.
• Each year, one inductee shall be a woman, and in odd years, there may be an appropriate male inductee. There may be more than one inductee but not more than two inductees in a given year.

Nomination Form

The USA Powerlifting Women’s Hall of Fame honors the athletes, coaches, officials, promoters, and advocates who helped shape and grow women’s powerlifting from its earliest days into the thriving sport it is today. These pioneers broke barriers, challenged tradition, and set new standards both on and off the platform, creating opportunities and inspiration for future generations of women in the sport.

2025 Inductee – Deborah Ferrell
2024 Inductee – Tammy Walker
2023 Inductee – Yuen-Chun Chang
2022 Inductee – Jill Arnow
2021 Inductee – Jennifer Rey Gaudreau
2020 Inductee – Danna Snow
2019 Inductee – Donna Marts | Dennis Brady
2018 Inductee – Sue Hallen
2017 Inductee – Regina Hackney | Jim Ford
2016 Inductee – Christy Cardella
2015 Inductee – Liane Blyn
2014 Inductee – Jennifer Maile
2013 Inductee – Angela Simons | Jennifer Thompson
2012 Inductee – Paula Houston | Susan Elwyn
2011 Inductee – Priscilla Ribic | Sioux-z Hartwig-Gary
2010 Inductee – Cathy Marksteiner | Harriet Hall
2009 Inductee – Cynthia (Cyndi) Regan | Dr Larry Maile
2008Inductee – Betsy Ojanen | Sandy Brady-Hansen
2007 Inductee –  Stephanie Whiting | Johnny Graham
2006 Inductee – Linda Jo Belsito | Billy Jack Talton
2005 Inductee – Bettina Altizer
2004 Inductee – Judy Gedney | Pat Malone | Mabel & Peary Rader | Jan Todd | Terry Todd | Ruth Welding
 

Instructions for Hall of Fame Nominations

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: JANUARY 15

January 15th
Nomination Form Submission Deadline

January 30th
Selection of Inductee, EC review and vote deadline

February 5th
Inductee notified by the Committee Chair

Open Nationals
Formal Hall of Fame Induction

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Committee Members

• Heather Faas - Chair
• Ad hoc team from past Women's Hall of Fame inductees

• The inductee must be current or have been a former member of the USA Powerlifting/ADFPA in good standing.
• The inductee must have made historically significant and noteworthy contributions to USA Powerlifting/ADFPA powerlifting.
• The inductee must have served as a role model to other athletes because of the inductee's performance and leadership.
• The inductee must have in some notable, significant way, worked for the promotion, advancement, and betterment of USA Powerlifting/ADFPA powerlifting.
• The inductee shall have no drug infractions pursuant to USA Powerlifting/ADFPA organizational rules or from any other powerlifting organization, and the inductee must not have received any prior USA Powerlifting/ADFPA suspensions.
• If an athlete, the inductee must have competed in the ADFPA/USA Powerlifting for at least 5 years. If an administrator, they must have served at least 10 years in the ADFPA/USA Powerlifting.
• Each year, one candidate shall be inducted. There may be more than one inductee but not more than two inductees in a given year.

Nomination Form

2025 Inductee – Cathy Mele | Donovan Thompson
2024  Inductee – Joseph & Cathleen Marksteiner
2023  Inductee – Jack Marcus | Jennifer Thompson
2021  Inductee – Robert Crawford
2020  Inductee – Anthony Harris | Johnny Graham | Harriet Hall

Instructions for Hall of Fame Nominations

February 1st
Nomination Form Opened

March 15th
Nomination Form Submission Deadline

April 1 - 30
Selection of Inductee, EC review, and vote deadline

Master's Committee Meeting (May)
Formal Hall of Fame Induction

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Committee Members

• Jeff Phillips - Chair

The Brother Bennett Award is the most prestigious of the honorary awards given by the members of USA Powerlifting. It is named for the founder of the drug free powerlifting movement in the U.S., and recognizes extraordinary service to the athletes of our organization and leadership in furthering the cause of drug free sport. The recipients of the Brother Bennett Award reflect the highest ideals of our sport, and many of the original recipients were both mentored by Brother Bennett and share his vision of a lifting platform free from the effects of strength inducing substances.

Winners

2025 Inductee – Eric Cordiero
2024 Inductee – Michael Hafenbrack II | Joe Warpeha
2023 Inductee – Wes Zunker
2022 Inductee – Ron Brinker
2021 Inductee – Greg Simmons
2019 Inductee – Geno Bianchari
2018 Inductee – Chip Hultquist
2017 Inductee – Angela Simons
2016 Inductee – Tony Cardella
2015 Inductee – Josh Rohr
2014 Inductee – Suzanne “Sioux-z” Hartwig-Gary
2013 Inductee – Gregory Page
2012 Inductee – Robert Keller
2011 Inductees – Robert Crawford | David Ricks
2010 Inductee – Priscilla Ribic
2009 Inductee – Dan Gaudreau
2008 Inductee – Joe Marksteiner
2007 Inductee – Rick Fowler
2006 Inductee – Pete Alaniz
2005 Inductee – Bettina Altizer
2004 Inductee – Brad Gillingham
2003 Inductee – Bill Clayton*
2002 Inductee – PJ Couvillion
2001 Inductee – Larry Maile
2000 Inductee – Johnny Graham
1999 Inductee – Shawn Cain
1998 Inductee – ^
1997 Inductee – Dr. Mike Cissell
1996 Inductee – Pete Gisondi*
1995 Inductee – ^
1994 Inductee – Ned Cramer* | Mary Cramer*
1993 Inductee – Ed Jubinville*
1992 Inductee – Charlie Schroeder*
1991 Inductee – Allan Siegel | Robert Gaynor*
1990 Inductee – ^
1989 Inductee – Judith Gedney

The USA Powerlifting Athlete of the Year Award is given to the athlete with the most successful year, representing USA Powerlifting in National and International competitions.

Winners

2025 Inductee – Mau Angeli Saguil
2025 Inductee – Ray Bowring
2024 Inductee – Sophie Veiras
2023 Inductee – Brandon Pitre
2021 Inductee – Taylor Atwood
2019 Inductee – Jennifer Thompson
2018 Inductee – Bonica Brown
2017 Inductee – Liane Blyn
2016 Inductee – Blaine Sumner
2015 Inductee – Priscilla Ribic
2014 Inductee – Kimberly Walford
2013 Inductee – Ian Bell
2012 Inductee – Eric Kupperstein

The USA Powerlifting Coach of the Year Award is given to the individual who is active in the training and coaching of drug free athletes at every level of competition, from local to international. They reflect selfless dedication to helping athletes realize their goals, whether they be improved health, greater strength, or increasing success in powerlifting competition. Recipients of the Coach of the Year Award give of themselves unselfishly, often at great personal expense and in lieu of success as athletes themselves. The individual selected as the Coach of the Year is recognized by their peers and fellow athletes for helping others reach their athletic dreams.

Winners

2025 Inductee – Jill Arnow
2024 Inductee – Wade Johnson
2023 Inductee – Jeremy Hartman
2022 Inductee – Eric Cordeiro
2021 Inductee – Mike Zawilinski
2019 Inductee – Tim Anderson
2018 Inductee – Arian Khamesi
2017 Inductee – James Townsend
2016 Inductee – Eric Mach
2015 Inductee – Jon Magendie
2014 Inductee – Malinda Baum/Angela Simons
2013 Inductee – Curt St. Romain
2012 Inductee – Matt Gary
2011 Inductee – Travis Werner
2010 Inductee – Jim Brown
2009 Inductee – Gina Stepleton
2008 Inductee – Joe Lewis
2007 Inductee – Larry Maile
2006 Inductee – Dan Gaudreau
2005 Inductee – Lanette Lopez
2004 Inductee – Jim Ford
2003 Inductee – Johnny Graham
2002 Inductee – Tod Miller
2001 Inductee – Jim Ford
2000 Inductee – Larry Maile
1999 Inductee – Billy Jack Talton

The job of referee is often a thankless one, and one which does not bring with it the recognition of the athletes, coaches, or spectators. The Referee of the Year Award is given to the individual who has performed exemplary duties as referee, both in terms of time commitment and level of activity. The Referee of the Year is an official who frequently travels at their own expense to assure that it is possible to hold competitions and to make certain that those athletes who are capable of record setting performances get the opportunity to do so. This honorary award was chartered to acknowledge and to thank those who have worked often from dawn to dusk and beyond, to assure that competitions may proceed and that a uniform standard of lifting performance is assured.

Winners

2025 Inductee – Katey Dodge
2024 Inductee – Dane Roach
2023 Inductee – David Goodwin
2022 Inductee – Shelby Gaspard
2021 Inductee – Don (Mac) McElravy
2019 Inductee – Tony Lee
2018 Inductee – Jim Battenfield
2017 Inductee – Michael Zawilinski
2016 Inductee – Tonya Lambeth
2015 Inductee – Joe Warpeha
2014 Inductee – Eliot Feldman
2013 Inductee – Bill Helmich
2012 Inductee – Phil ‘PJ’ Couvillion
2011 Inductee – Bill Clayton
2010 Inductee – Bill Sindelar
2009 Inductee – Robert Grisham
2008 Inductee – Joe Marksteiner | Cathy Marksteiner
2007 Inductee – George Bartotti*
2006 Inductee – Jack Marcus
2005 Inductee – Robert Keller