When Kevin Randleman tragically passed away in 2016, he and his partner had over 80 kids training under the Monster Wrestling Academy. In just a few short years as a coach, Kevin had made an indelible mark on the wrestling community. His sudden loss left a massive void—not just in the gym, but in the hearts of those he inspired.
After a meeting with the head of Southern Nevada Wrestling/USA Wrestling sparked the idea for the first Kevin Randleman Memorial Wrestling Tournament, held in January 2017. The event was an overwhelming success, drawing more than 600 young wrestlers. Eight years later, the tournament continues to thrive, becoming a beloved annual tradition. The next Las Vegas event is set for January 2026.
In 2021, a retired Marine Corps veteran in Columbus, Ohio—driven by a vision to use wrestling as a positive outlet for youth in his community—reached out for help. He had founded The Ohio Heroes the previous year but lacked the funding to keep the program going for the 2021–2022 season. A grassroots effort by Mrs. Randleman raised $10,000 to keep the dream alive.
That season, 18 kids joined the wrestling mats, most of whom had never wrestled before. By the end, seven were state champions. Wearing singlets with Kevin's name inspired them with strength and pride. Under Coach RJ's leadership, The Ohio Heroes became a powerful presence in Ohio’s wrestling community.
Seven young wrestlers, carrying Kevin’s image on their backs, fought hard to become Novice State Champions and secure the Team State Championship. In the following season, five additional Novice State Champions emerged, and they won the Team Championship for the second consecutive year. This success was made possible because we provided them with opportunities through wrestling scholarships established in Kevin’s name.
Watching Marques Johnson, a former student of Monster Wrestling, coach his students to the top of the podium to earn their Kevin Randleman Championship belt is truly inspiring. Kevin had a profound impact on Marques' life, instilling in him a drive for greatness that continues even nine years after Kevin's death. Marques is motivated to work hard and never give up, all because of the lessons Kevin taught him as a young boy. Recently, Marques graduated from Cimarron High School as a 12-letter athlete, making history as the first Black athlete to earn a letter. He was also recognized as an Honors Graduate and received the President's Award. Moreover, he was awarded a full-ride scholarship and named Athlete of the Year at Cimarron High School. In addition to these achievements, KTNV recognized Marques as the "Athlete of the Year" out of 300,000 student-athletes. During his acceptance speech at the ceremony, when asked about his inspiration, Marques gave a straightforward answer: Kevin Randleman.
The Kevin Randleman Foundation is thrilled to announce its inaugural fundraising event to celebrate its launch. This evening will honor Kevin's life and legacy while also highlighting the mission of the newly established foundation. We invite you to join us at S Bar at the Shoppes at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip for an evening featuring an open bar of top-shelf liquor and delicious food.