National Wrestling Hall of Fame

LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | 23 The political instability that has plagued Cuba over its history often led individuals to seek opportunities in education and business in the United States. Beginning in the middle of the 1910s, one such person was Manuel Gorriaran, who was born in Havana in 1901 and came to New England seeking an engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a program he completed by 1920. Upon graduating, Manuel traveled and ultimately returned to his homeland by 1926 becoming affiliated with the Hook-Fast Company, a manufacturer of emblems and pins that demonstrate trade affiliations. He was fairly successful, but soon decided to leave his birthplace again in hope of avoiding trouble with the corrupt government then running Cuba. He promptly purchased controlling interest of Hook-Fast and his family has run the enterprise ever since. In addition to his business interests, Gorriaran had another passion, wrestling, and he would use his commercial savvy and managerial skills to develop both infatuations over the remaining years of his life. He finally retired from day-to-day operations of his company in 1988. When Manuel Sr. died in 1990, his obituary in Amateur Wrestling News noted that he "was the father of the sport in Rhode Island" (Hook-Fast is located in Providence). Even before leaving Cuba, he encouraged the development of the sport in his homeland, helping to form the first Cuban wrestling team and establishing the sport in what became the Pan American Games. In the United States, in addition to supporting the sport at the local and state level, he also served as manager for the American team at the 1963 Pan American Games, the 1967 World Team and the 1968 Olympic squad. His most significant award at the international level came in 1972, when Manuel Sr. was named an Honorary Member of the Board of the International Amateur Wrestling Federation. He also earned the Max Rappoport Masters of Wrestling Award in 1976, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985. In addition to working with athletes, Manuel Sr. worked tirelessly to raise funds for the sport he loved. He utilized merchandise produced by Hook-Fast as an enticement to solicit donations from wrestling fans to help offset the costs of sending the team to Mexico City in 1968, for example. He was also well known in wrestling circles for providing pins and emblems that competitors wore and traded at international and national competitions. His passion was such that the items were provided gratis over a span of several decades. Gorriaran Sr. also instituted what he hoped would become wrestling's version of the Heisman Trophy (which is named in his honor) for the competitor with the most pins in the NCAA Championships. Among those who have won this coveted award since 1961 are Ted Ellis, Dan Gable and Gary Albright. The passion for wrestling displayed by Manuel Sr. also took hold in the life of Manuel Gorriaran, Jr. Manny, as he was known, was a star athlete at Providence Country Day School during the 1950s (he graduated in 1956) and won multiple state titles in wrestling, bowling and tennis. As a result of his athletic triumphs, the younger Gorriaran was inducted into the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 and in his high school alma mater's Hall in 2000. He also continued his father's legacy by being active in causes such as the United States Olympic Committee and the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Manny also served for many years as an executive for Hook-Fast. The Gorriaran family is a shining example of what can be accomplished by driven individuals who are provided the freedom and opportunity to develop their intellectual and physical talents. This Cuban family came to a locale not normally associated with Latinos and achieved great success as entrepreneurs, athletes and community advocates. The Gorriaran name will continue to shine as an example of the potential that lies in all immigrants who come to the United States, no matter where they are originally from. MANUEL GORRIARAN 1926 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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