Army West Point Athletics
All-American Lacrosse Player Named To Hall of Fame
September 07, 2009 | General
Editor's Note: This is the seventh in a series of stories profiling the Kenna Hall of Army Sports inductees, Class of 2009. GoARMYsports.com will take a look at these outstanding athletes and their accomplishments, leading into the induction on Sept. 11.
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Jack Rust heard about a lacrosse scrimmage. His classmates at the U.S. Military Academy lacked lacrosse experience and there was some talk about the squad needing players.
Rust went to the scrimmage, watched the contact, witnessed his first lacrosse game and then immediately volunteered when they were looking for a goalie.
Despite his lack of experience, Rust turned out to be a natural, earning four letters and being named an All-American three times.
His play in goal not only brought All-American recognition, it is also earning him a spot in the Army Sports Hall of Fame.
Rust is one of eight who will be inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009 also includes Bill Carpenter (football and lacrosse), Ralph Chesnauskas (football and hockey), Tracy Hanlon (track and field and women’s basketball), Mike Krzyzewski (men’s basketball player and coach), Ray Murphy (Athletic Director and football, basketball and lacrosse player), Nicki Robbins (softball) and Thomas Truxtun (lacrosse and men’s soccer).
The eight honorees will officially be inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 11. 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 presented by Lockheed Martin set for Eisenhower Hall later that evening. The group will also be recognized during Army’s football game against Duke 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.
Rust, a member of the Class of 1949, first saw a lacrosse game at that scrimmage and utilized his athletic ability to become a four-time letterwinner.
He was named an All-American three times, including a first team selection his junior season. A two-time second team choice, Rust served as team captain his final season.
The Black Knights posted a 32-11-1 record with Rust in goal and he was chosen to participate in the North-South All-Star Game his senior year.
Rust stands fifth all-time in saves with 491 and is the namesake for a team award presented to the team’s top defensive player.
Catch Us Up On What You Have Been Doing Since Graduating: “I was commissioned in the Army, spent three-and-a-half-years in Germany and resigned my commission in 1954. I moved back to my hometown in Illinois and worked in the automobile industry and joined the National Guard. In 1960, I moved to New Mexico as an owner of a Caterpillar business. I stayed in the Army reserve and retired after 20 years. I sold my business in 2002 and am retired in Sante Fe, N.M.”
Reaction When Received Letter You Were Chosen: “I was completely surprised and flabbergasted. I am very honored but very, very surprised and pleased about it.”
Favorite Athletic Memory: “There were only three members of our class who had ever played lacrosse. I went to a scrimmage and they were looking for volunteers for goalie. That was the first and only time I ever volunteered for anything in the Army. Halfway through my plebe year, coach (Morris Touchstone) said we were going to play Cornell and I was to pack my gear and get on the bus. I started that game and was there the rest of the time.”
Favorite West Point Memory: “It was all great. I don’t think I can pin point one single thing.”
What’s The Biggest Difference At West Point Since You Were A Cadet: “Females as cadets is the biggest difference. There was a lot of reaction when it was announced that females would attend West Point but I was all for it. If you are going to have females in the Army, they should have the same opportunity to go to West Point.”
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.
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Jack Rust heard about a lacrosse scrimmage. His classmates at the U.S. Military Academy lacked lacrosse experience and there was some talk about the squad needing players.
Rust went to the scrimmage, watched the contact, witnessed his first lacrosse game and then immediately volunteered when they were looking for a goalie.
Despite his lack of experience, Rust turned out to be a natural, earning four letters and being named an All-American three times.
His play in goal not only brought All-American recognition, it is also earning him a spot in the Army Sports Hall of Fame.
Rust is one of eight who will be inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009 also includes Bill Carpenter (football and lacrosse), Ralph Chesnauskas (football and hockey), Tracy Hanlon (track and field and women’s basketball), Mike Krzyzewski (men’s basketball player and coach), Ray Murphy (Athletic Director and football, basketball and lacrosse player), Nicki Robbins (softball) and Thomas Truxtun (lacrosse and men’s soccer).
The eight honorees will officially be inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 11. 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 presented by Lockheed Martin set for Eisenhower Hall later that evening. The group will also be recognized during Army’s football game against Duke 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.
Rust, a member of the Class of 1949, first saw a lacrosse game at that scrimmage and utilized his athletic ability to become a four-time letterwinner.
He was named an All-American three times, including a first team selection his junior season. A two-time second team choice, Rust served as team captain his final season.
The Black Knights posted a 32-11-1 record with Rust in goal and he was chosen to participate in the North-South All-Star Game his senior year.
Rust stands fifth all-time in saves with 491 and is the namesake for a team award presented to the team’s top defensive player.
Catch Us Up On What You Have Been Doing Since Graduating: “I was commissioned in the Army, spent three-and-a-half-years in Germany and resigned my commission in 1954. I moved back to my hometown in Illinois and worked in the automobile industry and joined the National Guard. In 1960, I moved to New Mexico as an owner of a Caterpillar business. I stayed in the Army reserve and retired after 20 years. I sold my business in 2002 and am retired in Sante Fe, N.M.”
Reaction When Received Letter You Were Chosen: “I was completely surprised and flabbergasted. I am very honored but very, very surprised and pleased about it.”
Favorite Athletic Memory: “There were only three members of our class who had ever played lacrosse. I went to a scrimmage and they were looking for volunteers for goalie. That was the first and only time I ever volunteered for anything in the Army. Halfway through my plebe year, coach (Morris Touchstone) said we were going to play Cornell and I was to pack my gear and get on the bus. I started that game and was there the rest of the time.”
Favorite West Point Memory: “It was all great. I don’t think I can pin point one single thing.”
What’s The Biggest Difference At West Point Since You Were A Cadet: “Females as cadets is the biggest difference. There was a lot of reaction when it was announced that females would attend West Point but I was all for it. If you are going to have females in the Army, they should have the same opportunity to go to West Point.”
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.
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