Presenters

Gary Abbott has led USA Wrestling’s communications program for over 37 years, after being hired as manager of communications in May 1988. He has worked at 10 consecutive Summer Olympic Games, the most of any NGB or USOPC communications staff member. He is responsible for USA Wrestling communications activities, including publications and other media platforms, media relations, promotions, public relations and corporate communications. In 2013, he was active on the Committee for the Preservation of Olympic Wrestling in wrestling’s successful fight to remain an Olympic sport. 

In his role as director of special projects, he has been a pioneer in building women’s wrestling for decades, including currently serving as a wrestling liaison to the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletes (CWA) concerning the Emerging Sports for Women program. He was the author of the wrestling coalition’s application document for Emerging Sports Status. 

Abbott was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with its Order of Merit in 2021. He was one of three people to receive the inaugural Trailblazer Award from the National Wrestling Coaches Association, honoring those who have championed the sport of women's wrestling in the collegiate space. He received the Publicist of the Year award from the National Wrestling Media Association in 1991 and won the organization’s Publication of the Year in 1996. In 1992, Amateur Wrestling News presented him with its Bob Dellinger Award, presented to the wrestling writer of the year. He was the 2005 AWN Man of the Year, and received the 2005 NWCA Meritorious Service Award.