Army Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2019

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point Director of Athletics Mike Buddie has released the 16th induction class into the Army Sports Hall of Fame.

The Class of 2019 features former head wrestling coach Lloyd Appleton, cross country and track and field standout Mike Bernstein, gymnastics star Carl Brunson, track and field great Dennis Trujillo and two-sport standout Mortimore (Bud) Sprague.

The honorees will be officially inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 20. A special plaque unveiling ceremony will be held in the Kenna Hall of Army Sports inside Kimsey Athletic Center, with the formal black-tie Hall of Fame Induction Banquet set for Eisenhower Hall later that evening. The group will also be recognized during Army's West Point football game against Morgan State the next day at Michie Stadium.

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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 state-of-the-art football training facility.

The announcement of the Army Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2019 marks the end of a lengthy process that began in the spring. A selection committee, representing athletic administrators, academic administrators, former West Point athletes, graduates and representatives from the Association of Graduates, began the process of developing a workable list from the thousands of athletes, coaches and administrators that have represented the Academy on the "fields of friendly strife." Only individuals that graduated from or coached at the Academy and those 15 years removed from their playing and coaching days are eligible. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee voted and approved the change from five years removed to 15 in 2015.

Once the selection committee finalized its recommended list, the names were forwarded to Superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams for final approval. The 16th induction class into the Army Sports Hall of Fame brings the total number of inductees to 145.

Appleton was named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1983 after becoming an Olympic Silver Medalist in 1928 in the 158-pound weight class. He racked up 86 wins at Army in 19 seasons for a .623 winning percentage.

He tutored 10 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Champions and 39 EIWA Placewinners at the helm of the Black Knights. He also coached national runner-up Al Paulekas in 1953.

Bernstein was a three-time NCAA All-American for the Black Knights and earned 10 varsity letters while at West Point. He was a two-time NCAA selection in cross country during his career and led the Black Knights to a sixth place finish at the 1993 NCAA Championships in 1993.

The Army standout distance runner also earned All-America indoor honors in the 3000-meter run. He was a six-time Patriot League Champion with four league titles in outdoor track and field, while the other two split between cross country and indoor track and field. Bernstein was the 1994 Patriot League Individual Cross Country Champion and was the 1995 Patriot League's Outstanding Indoor Male Performer.

Brunson was a three-time All-American, garnering two of those citing's on the parallel bars. He earned two of those honors in 1950 on the high bar and parallel bars. He placed fifth at the NCAA Championships on the parallel bars in 1949 and was crowned the Eastern parallel bars champion as a senior.

He led Army to a share of first-place honors at Eastern Championships in 1949 and was the team captain in 1950, leading the Black Knights to a 7-0-1 record.

Sprague was a two-sport athlete at West Point in football and track and field. He was a two-time first team All-American as a tackle in 1926 and 1927. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

He was a team captain in 1928, leading Army to an 8-2 mark and went 31-6-1 over his career. Sprague was a four-year letterwinner in track and field as well and set the school record in the shot put.

Trujillo was a three-time NCAA All-American in distance events, including the indoor two-mile and outdoor three-mile in 1975 and also the 1976 outdoor 10K. He qualified for the 1974 NCAA Cross Country Championships and won Heptagonal and IC4A cross country championships in 1974.

He was only the second Cadet at the time of his graduation to win the IC4A title in his career. He still owns the Academy and Field House two-mile indoor record, as well as the Academy and Shea Stadium three-mile outdoor record. In total, Trujillo earned 10 letters while at West Point.

Army West Point Athletics

Army Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2019

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