Richard Vincent Oehrlein (2006) - Hall of Fame

Richard Vincent Oehrlein

Induction:
2006
Class:
1964

Equally adept at handling either a tennis racquet or a squash racquet, Richard Oehrlein carved a superb athletic career at West Point prior to his graduation in 1964. A three-year letterwinner in both sports, Oehrlein served as the squash team captain as a senior in 1963-64.

Over his three varsity seasons, Army's squash team forged a 31-10 (.756) record and defeated Navy all three years. During Oehrlein's senior season, the Black Knights crafted a sterling 12-2 record en route to tying Princeton for second place at the national tournament. Army's dozen wins that winter came in succession, after an 0-2 start, while nine of the 12 were via shutout.

Playing at number one singles over his final two years, and teaming with brother Walter at number one doubles throughout much of his final two seasons, Richard Oehrlein was instrumental to the team's 38-10 (.792) showing over his three varsity campaigns. At one point, Oehrlein built a 30-match win streak, which was snapped late in his senior season. He was 16-0 during dual meets as a junior, and competed at the NCAA Championships in both singles and doubles in 1963.

Army's tennis squad defeated Navy during each of Oehrlein's three seasons, while the Black Knights' 1962 victory was its first over the Mids since 1949.