When you think of a sport, any sport I don't care which, and the people associated with that sport, you probably first recall the "stars" of that sport. You think of the Babe Ruths, the Joe Louises, the Jack Nicklauses, the Walter Paytons, the Richard Pettys. When you think of pulling, many faces come to mind as well. Bruce Hutcherson, the Banter brothers, Lloyd McVey, Danny Dean -- the list goes on.

But what I would bet you don't remember or can't even recall are the folks who work behind the scenes -- specifically the people who enforce the rules in sports. Name me one person from a major sport who was a referee, an umpire.

We give so much credit to the "stars" and overlook all the rules people, the referees, who make sure the game is played fairly and safely. Their contribution is as significant, if not more so, than the "stars". Think of a game played without rules. It would be utter chaos.

Co-inductees into the NTPA Hall of Fame, Andy Main and Russell Mount, were referees, those overlooked people who made sure the game -- pulling -- was played fairly and above all safely. They surely contributed as much to our sport as did those folks we call "stars." And because of that contribution, their place in the Pulling Hall of Fame is without question.

Inductee, Andy Main, is a man whose career in pulling closely matches that of Russell in terms of years of service and dedication to the sport. He, too, was in pulling long before NTPA was born. He comes to us from the "land of Lincoln" -- the great state of Illinois.

He began pulling in the mid-1950s, just after his discharge from the army. By the time NTPA was formed, Andy had already built up a wealth of experience in the sport. In his early years with NTPA, he served as first vice-president on NTPA's Executive Board from 1973 until 1978. For a span of time, Andy was NTPA's "voice" on all matters technical. He was NTPA competition director from January 1985 through January 1986 and technical advisor to NTPA from August 1986 to December 1987.

During his early days of pulling, Andy was quite a force in the 9,000 lb. Super Stock class. In 1974, he won that class with his Case 1370, out dueling Dave Stangle's MM G 1000 for the title.

Andy was involved with the North American Sled Owners Association and performed annual sled inspections to make sure sleds meet NASOA's rigid safety standards. Main passed away in 2008.