Army West Point Athletics
Colonel Earns Hall of Fame Honor
August 28, 2008 | General
Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of stories profiling the Kenna Hall of Army Sports inductees, Class of 2008. Each week, goARMYsports.com will take a look at these outstanding athletes and their accomplishments, leading into the induction on Sept. 19.
Jose Olivero found himself struggling academically during his first year at West Point. The change in academics from high school to the challenges of the Academy was a tough transition.
Olivero battled through, took a class in summer school and kept his academic standing. He also left his mark on the athletic fields and in a distinguished military career.
A standout in men’s soccer and lacrosse, Olivero is one of 10 people that will be honored in September for their athletic accomplishments.
The 10 honorees will officially be inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 19. A special afternoon plaque unveiling ceremony will be held in the Kenna Hall of Army Sports inside Kimsey Center, with the formal black-tie banquet set for Eisenhower Hall later that evening. The group will also be recognized during Army’s football game against Akron the next day at Michie Stadium with a special photograph and autograph session planned in Black Knights Alley prior to the contest.
The Army Sports Hall of Fame is a subset of the Kenna Hall of Army Sports, a comprehensive museum displaying Army’s rich and proud intercollegiate athletic program. It is located on the third floor of the Kimsey Athletic Center, Army’s massive football training facility.
In addition to the 10 Hall of Fame members to be honored in September, Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson will also present the Office of Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ODIA) Distinguished Service Award to Gus Fishburne. Fishburne, a vital resource in the Kenna Hall of Army Sports, has been a generous supporter of the United States Military Academy. His daughter, Holly, was a women’s soccer player while his son-in-law, Mark West, competed in sprint football. Both athletes graduated with the Class of 1991. His son, Gus Fishburne IV, graduated with the Class of 1994.
A three-time all-American goalkeeper in lacrosse, Olivero captained both the lacrosse and men’s soccer teams. He was a second team all-American in 1977, while also garnering third team laurels in 1978 and honorable mention in 1975.
Olivero participated in the prestigious North-South All-Star Game in 1978 and ranks ninth in Army’s record book with 441 career saves.
On the soccer field, Olivero was named a regional all-American in 1975 and 1976 as a fullback.
After graduation, Olivero embarked on his military career, earning a Green Beret after a stint in Infantry. He was at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 attacks and did a handful of overseas tours. He retired as a full colonel from the Pentagon with Gen. Richard Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, handling the honors.
Catch Us Up On What You Have Been Doing Since Graduating: “I was Infantry coming out of Academy and went ahead and switched to Special Forces. I earned my Green Beret in 1985 and stayed with Special Forces until I retired in 2006. I had some great assignments. I was an Army section chief for three years and served six months in Afghanistan.”
Reaction When Received Letter You Were Chosen: “I was surprised. I didn’t know what the criteria was and was honored to be selected. It was a pleasant surprise.”
Favorite Athletic Memory: “A couple come to mind. My plebe year, I was taking boxing. On the first day of classes, they divided the class by those over six-feet tall and those under. I was only 5-11 so I stayed with the smaller group. Coach Palone (his soccer coach at West Point) came over and put me with the bigger guys. The other thing that sticks out is losing to Navy five times in lacrosse. That keeps eating at me. I finally beat them in an alumni game. I refused to get a new stick until I beat Navy and finally got a new goalie stick two years ago.”
Favorite West Point Memory: “One that sticks in my mind is during plebe year when for lack of a better word, I was struggling academically. I had to learn to study at the college level and wasn’t doing too well. I took an American history class and ended up flunking it. I was counseled by the TAC and they told me they were thinking about taking me out of Corps Squad. I told them that if I was taken out of Corps Squad I was leaving the Academy. I wouldn’t turn my back on the athletes. They saw I wasn’t bluffing and they left me alone. During summer school it was me and the professor one-on-one. I had a four-day summer vacation that year but passed the class. Another one that sticks out is coming out of Beast as the No. 1 New Cadet, so that was interesting.”
What Does It Mean To Be Inducted: “It really hasn’t hit me, yet. To me, it’s more of an enduring thing. It’s something that can never be taken away or forgotten for that matter. It’s an honor to be included in that group of great folks who have played sports. This cements your accomplishments into the Academy files. I’m humbled.”
Who Had The Biggest Influence On Your Athletic Career: “I was recruited out of high school for three sports, soccer, wrestling and lacrosse. My wrestling coach (Joe Campo) was probably the most influential. He planted the seed my senior year to go to the Academy. He and Coach LeRoy Alitz (the wrestling coach at West Point) really did the most to get me into the Academy.”
What’s The Biggest Difference At West Point Since You Were A Cadet: “The facilities, the gyms, stadiums and turf are probably the biggest. The quality of athletes has definitely improved as well; they are bigger, faster and stronger these days. I don’t think I would be able to play two sports at Army now. It would just be too hard to do. Athletes are specialized so much so it would be hard to do.”
Tickets for the event are available to the public and can be purchased by calling Army's External Operations Office at 845-938-2322. Proceeds will be directed to a fund that supports the daily care, maintenance and growth of the Kenna Hall of Army Sports and Army Sports Hall of Fame.
