New York, NY – Former Hunter wrestler, Hooman "Mo" Tavakolian was recently honored with 11 other names to be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Downstate New York Chapter, on Friday, April 28, 2017 at the Marriott Hotel in Mellville, Long Island. Tavakolian is the second Hawk to be inducted since John Tush was honored back in 2015.
 
He was recognized under the Lifetime Service Award winners and will join fellow inductees Scott Arnel, Doug Axman, Dennis Dunne, Don Jantzen, Tom Magnani, Nick Nanos, Arno Niemand, Jim Norland, Tony Norland, James Regan and Tom Riccio.
 
"It is so humbling and a great honor to be considered and inducted into the national wrestling hall of fame," said Tavakolian. "It's the highest honor one can get in their respective field. Just having my name near the sports greatest is so humbling. I am blessed to have such a great support group, like my incredible and understanding best friend and wife, my family and all my former teammates and coaches who have stood by me."
 
Tavakolian came to the United States from Iran at the age of eight and began his wrestling career at Great Neck South High School. From there, he graduated and competed for the Hofstra Pride for two years before transferring to Hunter College where he donned the Purple and Gold singlet for his remaining two years of collegiate eligibility. During his senior campaign, he earned All-Conference and All-State kudos while also being named the captain of the team.
 
After graduating with a degree in psychology, his departure from Hunter was short lived as he rejoined the Hawks as an Assistant Coach from 2001 through 2003 under legendary head coach Bob Gaudenzi.
 
"I transferred to Hunter in 1996 after hurting my knee at the NCAA Div 1 qualifiers," he said. "I still remember that summer morning when I called coach Bob Gaudenzi. I always had such respect for Coach G.
 
I also pride myself for having such awesome friends. My teammates have been part of this journey since 1996. I can go down the whole line up and we are still all in contact, attended each others weddings, birth of our kids, deaths in the family, we are all one family, bound by loyalty."
 
His post-collegiate wrestling career includes competing for the New York Athletic Club and taking part in the National Veteran's World Championship in Budapest. However, his impact on the wrestling community both at home in New York and overseas has had a far reaching effect over the last 10 plus years.
 
Tavakolian, along with being the Vice President of the New York Athletic Club, is also the U.S. Delegate for the Iranian National Wrestling Team. He was also the liaison for the Islamic Republic of Iran during the Senior and Junior World Championships for wrestling and handled diplomacy between Iran and the US. In 2014 and 2015, he served in a similar capacity and was the interpreter for the American teams that competed in Iran.
 
The former Hawk promotes the sport at home as well by being a fund raiser for the Beat the Streets program. Beat the Streets uses wrestling as the vehicle through which young people achieve their full physical, cognitive, and social potential and develop into strong and effective individuals and members of the world. His efforts with the program have landed him a spot on the Board of Directors, a position he still holds today.
 
Furthermore, he co-founded the Living Your Dream Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to a college-bound Beat the Streets athlete.
 
"I have been involved with Beat the Streets for a few years," stated Tavakolian. "I recently joined their board and I am a true believer of their mission. Helping inner city kids get off the streets and coach them to a better life through individual sport such as wrestling. I also started Tavak Partners, which is a global sports consulting firm and sports diplomacy firm, where I been providing shoes and wrestling gear to remote areas of the world and providing hope for many underprivledged kids in those regions."
 
Tavakolian was the driving force that brought the Iranian National wrestling team to the Beat the Streets Gala event, Rumble on the Rails back in 2013. Through his efforts, the relationship between the U.S. and Iran in the wrestling world have improved and grown by leaps and bounds.
 
"It wasn't really my goal to make a name for myself. I just believed in it. It was deep within. I am a big believer of people to people interactions. That's how things get resolved. I understand both cultures so it helps when it comes with corresponding. I take matters and communicate it minus the emotions. I take the emotional aspect of things out and focus primarily on the wrestling subject which is the most important matter."
 
His tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2016, he was recognized as an Iranian-American who makes a difference and was honored at the White House among a group of "Who's Who of Iranian-Americans".
 
"I am so proud of being invited by Michele Obama to the White House last year," he said. "It was such a great feeling that all my hard work is being noticed by people and is actually making a difference. I met so many other affluent Iranian Americans at this event and it was such a humbling feeling being among these incredible people."
 
As far as his future in the sport of wrestling goes, Tavakolian said "I just hope I can be more active on the international level, help clean up the sport a little and educate and help ease some of the controversies that exist on the international level, as its apparent in many of the Olympic sports. This is not a one man show, it's a group effort, so I will continue to rely on my support system and the many great people around me that give me advice and energy to keep on going."
 
The father of three has two sons and one daughter and resides in Long Island with his wife, Lorelei.