Army West Point Athletics
Army Sports Hall of Fame Welcomes 10 New Members
September 20, 2008 | General
WEST POINT, N.Y. The Army Athletic Association welcomed 10 new members into the Army Sports Hall of Fame during a “black-tie” induction banquet, Friday evening at West Point’s Eisenhower Hall.
ESPN sportscaster Eric Collins served as the master of ceremonies for the festive event, held in the Ball Room overlooking the scenic Hudson River.
The Class of 2008 features nine cadet-athletes and one head coach. The class spans 13 sports and includes several All-American accolades, national championships and countless memories.
Bob Knight, college basketball’s all-time winningest coach following 102 wins at West Point, spoke for the class. Knight was joined in the fifth induction class by Alexis Albano, Curt Alitz, John Boretti, George Clark, Ted Kanamine, Jose Olivero, Richard Shelton, the late Mike Silliman and Arnold Tucker.
The evening began with a “plaque unveiling” ceremony at the Kenna Hall of Army Sports inside the Kimsey Athletic Center in which each of the inductees had an opportunity to speak. From there, the event moved to Eisenhower Hall where a video presentation, an introduction of Knight from West Point graduate Mike Krzyzewski, and a stirring speech from Knight highlighted the evening.
Krzyzewski, who played and coached at West Point before his tenure at Duke, recounted how important coach Knight was in his development as a player and coach.
Knight followed to the dais and recounted stories on taking his basketball team’s to the NIT for an opportunity to play in Madison Square Garden, lauded Krzyzewski for his accomplishments as a player and coach and extended congratulations to Coach “K” for leading the U.S. to the gold medal in men’s basketball last month.
The head coach at Army from 1965-72, Knight said, “I don’t think that I was ever given anything or anything was given to me that I appreciate more.”
Knight also detailed his coaching philosophy and how he wanted his teams to be thought of on the court.
“If you watched us play, it was in such a way with the kind of determination where you went away saying if this is the kind of kid West Point produces, this country is protected by good hands,” said Knight. “That was my major objective as a coach, to show the determination and tenacity and the just absolute all out effort that kids gave and what kinds of kids West Point produces.”
Albano ’95 excelled in women’s soccer and track and field during her time at the Academy. She was a three-time regional All-American in soccer and two-time Patriot League champion in individual events on the track.
Alitz ’78 earned seven All-American honors in outdoor track, indoor track and cross country and is considered one of the top runners in Army history.
Boretti ’67 earned nine letters in baseball, soccer and hockey. He netted 24 goals and six assists during his final two soccer seasons, was a two-time first-team baseball all-league selection and played in 75 games on the ice.
Clark ’75, a four-year hockey standout, still holds the Academy record for career goals scored with 153. A two-time captain, he is third on the all-time scoring charts with 266 points.
Kanamine ’77 was unable to make the ceremony because of a work obligation but was remembered as Army’s top point-producer during a stellar swimming career. He was also a member of the water polo team.
Olivero ’78 was a three-time All-American as a lacrosse goalie and a regional All-American as a fullback for the soccer team.
Shelton ’86 was a member of the pistol team. He served as team captain for two seasons and earned eight All-American citations during his decorated career.
Silliman ’66 graduated as Army’s top scorer with 1,342 points, accomplishing that number before the advent of the three-point line. He was also the captain of the 1968 gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic team.
Tucker ’47 was a part of three national championship football teams during his time at the Academy and also played basketball as well. A two-time All-American quarterback, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting during his senior year.
In addition to the 10 inductees, Gus Fishburne, a longtime friend of Army athletic programs, was presented with the ODIA Distinguished Service Award.
The group will be honored during a special halftime ceremony at Saturday’s Army vs. Akron football contest. The game will be televised nationally ESPN Classic with kickoff at Michie Stadium set for 1:06 p.m.
